Encroachment clearance begins

Deputy Commissioner Dr M V Venkatesh on Monday kicked off the encroachment clearance drive of Amani Byrasagara tank.

The fact that the Deputy Commissioner himself led the drive sent shockwaves among the encroachers. A number of farmers were seen confused as  a team of Revenue Department and surveyors landed on the tank bed. The Deputy Commissioner was upset upon seeing pump sets installed adjacent to the tank, coconut trees, onion and other crops.

Later, he said the taluk has 80 tanks which are spread over an area of 2,235 acres. Among this, farmers have encroached 265.15 acres of land for farming.

“As a first step, we have cleared 19.37 acres of encroached land belonging to Amani Byrasagara tank. We will conduct surveys to find out the encroachments of other 79 tanks and take them back into government control,” Venkatesh added. He called upon encroachers to clear the tank land voluntarily and warned of stringent action if anyone disturbs the encroachment clearance drive.

Tahsildar G Nanjappa said the collection of rain water has been affected due to encroachment of main storm water and secondary drains. Surveys will be conducted in two hobli limits and all encroachments will be cleared, he added.

Nanjappa said that trenches will be dug in the tank bed using JCB machines to ensure that land is not encroached upon again.  He also added that farmers who have encroached the tank’s land are cooperating in the drive.

Amani Byrasagara tank is spread over an area of 269 acres. In this, a total of 19-37 guntas of land, including 14-15 guntas in Gudibande, 1-34 guntas in Old Gudibande and  2-29 guntas in Eegenahalli have been encroached and turned into land.

Assistant Commissioner Amaresh, Keerthi of Small Irrigation Department, Survey Officer Swaminath, Nandareddy, Kasaba Hobli Revenue Inspector H N Narasimhaiah, Food Inspector Vekatamanappa and village accountants were present.