The MLAs from Malnad region were unanimous when finding fault with the Revenue and Forest departments while safeguarding the rights of forest occupants.
In the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, K G Boapaiah, BJP MLA from Madikeri, said that the Revenue department officials should be trained to reclaim ‘C’ and ‘D’ land.
“In Kodagu, no land is available for any purpose since the Forest department has classified all land under different categories,” he said requesting the government to be “liberal” when it comes to protecting the rights of people.
The Forest department listens to only the Supreme Court, he said.
Joining the issue, Visveshwara Hegde Kageri, BJP MLA from Sirsi, said that he had been struggling to get a piece of land for construction of government college, but the forest department was not allowing it. “The Forest department has turned into a white elephant and moving away from people,” he said.
Intervening, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the government could act on the requests which were in conformity with laws. “You are a lawyer and you know the Constitution. How can you talk like this,” he asked Bopaiah. He also sought to know from Kageri why he was unable to secure land for the college while his party was in power.
Joining the discussion, Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa, MLA from Sagar, said that the Forest department had become a super power.
He said elected representatives would have raise their voice if people were denied of their rights. He suggested that aggrieved persons can also file petitions before the Forest Right Committee.
Law Minister T B Jayachandra said officials concerned have been directed to demarcate deemed, ‘C and ‘D’ land in the next three months and submit a report. Forest Minister Ramanath Rai was not present in the House during the debate.
Later in the day, H K Kumaraswamy of the JD(S) said that the Forest department officials were evicting villagers in Malnad region. The department officials have been issuing notices to people living close to forest areas.
The Speaker said that if the government did not withdraw its order on eviction of villagers, people from the region would have to consume poison.
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