Reclaim encroached land: Khatri

49 cases of encroachment in Madikeri alone

District-in-Charge Secretary Rajkumar Khathri directed the district administration to take measures to reclaim the encroached government land.

Speaking at the review meeting here on Tuesday, he said no one is above the law of the land. The law is equal to all. Using the provisions within the framework of the law, the authorities should reclaim the land. After holding discussion with the elected representatives, action should be initiated against the encroachers. 

Assistant Commissioner Dr M R Ravi, who is also the anti-encroachment task force chairman, said three task forces have been constituted to reclaim the encroached government land in the district. In Madikeri as many as 49 cases of encroachments have been identified. In Somwarpet it is 35 cases and Virajpet it is 15 cases. Notices have been issued to the encroachers. Criminal cases have been filed against those who fail to hand over the encroached land. Five cases have been filed in Madikeri, eight in Somwarpet and seven in Virajpet.

MLA M P Appacchu Ranjan said that encroached land should be reclaimed in towns. MLC M C Nanaiah said that about 1,000 acre government land has been encroached in Madikeri.

Unfortunately, no action has been initiated against the encroachers. There is a need to preserve the hillocks and environment in the region.

He said that though proposal of Rs 36 crore was sent to the government to take up calamity relief work, the government has released only Rs two crore.

Kodagu receives heavy rainfall. All the roads get damaged due to rain. To repair the roads, one should release at least Rs ten crore annually, he added. Reacting to this, District-in-Charge Secretary said that he will direct the officials to release additional funds.

Committee for basics

MLC M C Nanaiah said that a committee constituted to supply nutritious food and basic facilities to Jenu Kuruba community do not have representative from the community.
He said the committee under the guidance of DC includes ITDP office, officials from food and civil supplies and politicians.

Deputy Commissioner Dr N V Prasad, SP Manjunath Annigeri, Additional DC K M Chandre Gowda