MGP to approach Lokayukta to save People's Park in Mysore

The Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) has decided to file a complaint with the Lokayukta, seeking a probe into illegal encroachments on the land of the People’s Park, in the city, said MGP president R Chandra Prakash, here, on Saturday.

One of the allegations levelled by the MGP is the violation of the Karnataka Government Park’s Act, according to which no building can be built inside the park premises.

“Considering the manner in which encroachments have occurred on People’s Park, it is likely that some vested interests are behind such acts. We will request the Lokayukta to probe all violations regarding the Park,” he said.

Drive

The MGP, on Saturday, launched a demonstration, condemning the government decision to build a library inside the park and demanded a complete rejuvenation of the park.

 Environmentalists, musicians and students, who participated in the protest, recited songs to raise awareness on the importance of lung spaces and against the anti-people policies of successive governments.

Chandra Prakash said, though the park had an area of 17 acres, less than half of it is fit for the benefit of people, who frequent the historic park.

 Noting that the park was one of the heritage sites of the city, he demanded the government to withdraw its decision to build a library, which would consume almost one third of the area of the Park.

“Even though a building for the Central Library is required, there are many places in the city, where government lands are freely available.The MGP only opposes the construction of the library inside the Park,” he said.

Bhamy Shenoy, a MGP member, said, the government bodies themselves have violated the State Government regulations, by allowing construction of a temple inside the Park.

Though the proposal of a library is disputed, the land has already been handed over to the department concerned, he said.

Renowned musician Rajeev Taranath, theatre personality Na Ratna, activist Maj Gen (retd) S G Vombatkere, students from Sharadha Public School, Lucky Higher Primary School, Kautilya Vidyalaya, Sri K Puttaswamy School and others participated in the drive to save the Park.

Following the demonstration, members of the MGP petitioned in-charge Deputy Commissioner S Palaiah, requesting him to initiate measures to save one of the important lung spaces of the city.