JOIN USDistrict-in-Charge Minister J Krishna Palemar has said that the demands of Gregory Patrao, whose house and cattle shed was demolished by the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) on April 28, 2010, will be considered and the issues related to the land acquisition will be sorted out amicably.
He was speaking to reporters after holding a meeting of officials of the Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ), Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL), KIADB with Patrao and his family at the Circuit House here on Monday. Palemar said that no final decision has been taken in the meeting.
However, he asserted, “issues will be sorted out amicably by convincing Patrao.”
To a query, Palemar said that there is no provision to increase the compensation for the land acquired from Patrao as per rule. “Patrao had demanded two acres of land in Kalavaru. The MRPL has agreed to sanction about 31 cents. Compensation for horticulture crop loss has been increased by 25 per cent. Similarly, the MRPL management has agreed to provide job to the family member of Patrao,” Palemar said adding that another meeting will be held to settle the dispute within 2 - 3 days.
Closed door meet
Majority of the media persons were gathered at the Circuit House to cover the conciliation meeting, since the issue of Patrao’s land acquisition, demolition of house and cattle shed had sent shockwaves among the people in the district. However, journalists were not allowed to cover the closed door meeting.
Moreover, neither the officials who participated in the meeting nor Patrao were ready to answer the queries of the media persons.
It can be recalled that Patrao had carried out a 25 days-long hunger strike in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office asserting that he would not sacrifice his land for MRPL.
Several organisations too had extended support to Patrao.