Karnataka CM pledges action on land grants, all-party team to Delhi on Kasturirangan report

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has said his government will work to settle all matters relating to the grant of land and will amend laws where required in the interest of farmers. He also committed to leading an all-party delegation to the Centre on the K. Kasturirangan report.

Speaking at a public meeting in Sakleshpur on the recommendations of the Kasturirangan report on the Western Ghats, the Chief Minister said his administration was committed to addressing the problems of the farming community.

He said applications filed under Akrama-Sakrama, those submitted by bagair hukum cultivators seeking grant of land, and applications made under the Forest Rights Act would be disposed of soon so that people get relief. Amendments to laws would be brought in wherever necessary to benefit farmers of the region, he added.

On complaints of harassment by forest officials, Mr. Shivakumar said those working in the Forest Department were not outsiders but members of the same family. They had a duty to protect forests and should carry it out in accordance with the law, he said, while stressing that people should be free of fear. Officers were not meant to harass the public and were only following instructions from above, he said.

He urged people not to treat officers as enemies and to stay within the rules. He said he had told officers not to harass the public, but that they would perform their duties as per law, and that the public should not encroach on forest land.

On the Kasturirangan report, the Chief Minister said he had received several suggestions during his interactions with the public. Many had called for outright rejection of the draft notification proposing to declare areas across the Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Areas. Some had emphasised the need for a physical survey, while others sought amendments to laws to help farmers affected by existing restrictions. The government would take its stand after the special session of the legislature, he said.

He also said he would lead an all-party delegation comprising MPs, MLAs and Opposition leaders to Delhi to meet the Prime Minister and Union Ministers.

Referring to officers in the Hassan district administration, Mr. Shivakumar said there were many good officers. He said he knew they were facing harassment, and that people knew who was harassing them, but did not name anyone. He said he had told the officers not to worry and to continue working for the poor. Former Minister H.D. Revanna of the JD(S) had recently made strong remarks against Hassan Deputy Commissioner K.S. Lathakumari.

Excise Minister K.M. Shivalinge Gowda, Hassan MP Shreyas Patel, Sakleshpur MLA "Cement" Manju and others were present.