Raghavendra seeks Centre intervention for displaced farmers in Shivamogga district

New Delhi: Shivamogga BJP Lok Sabha member B Y Raghavendra on Wednesday sought the intervention of the Union Government to provide rehabilitation to hundreds of farmers who were displaced due to Sharavathi Hydro-Electric Power Project in his Lok Sabha constituency.

Raising the issue in Zero Hour in Lok Sabha, he requested the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change to resolve the issue by allowing the state government to de-reserve forest land in Karnataka.

Sharavathi Hydro Electric Power Project was planned and constructed between the years 1958 to 1964, which involved submergence of thousands of acres of government land and agricultural land of farmers.

The State Government rehabilitated and settled farmers who had been displaced due to the project in nearby forest areas to an extent of 9,136 acres during the years 1958 to 1969, well before “Forest Conservation Act” could come into force, he said.

“The process of rehabilitation has not been completed. The cultivators have not got rights over the land. They have not been able to get any benefit offered by the governments or bank loans. They cannot build houses in the land,” he said.

The State Government had approached the Supreme Court, as per the advice of the Union Government, to get permission to de-reserve forest land. The court, on December 3, directed the Union Government and State Government to resolve the issue amicably.

“I humbly request the Union Government to provide all necessary support to resolve the problems faced by the people,” he stated.

Later speaking to media persons, Raghavendra said he met Union Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav and requested to address the farmers' issues.