Will handle issue of people displaced by Sharavati project on priority: Shivamogga Deputy Commissioner

Prabhulinga Kavalikatti, Deputy Commissioner of Shivamogga, has said that addressing the issues concerning people displaced owing to the Sharavati Valley Hydroelectric Project tops his list of priorities after taking over as Deputy Commissioner.

Addressing the press here on January 7, Mr. Kavalikatti said his predecessor, Gurudatta Hegde, had worked on the issue during his tenure. He added that he will continue to address it and ensure people benefit from it.

Background

Many among those displaced by the project over six decades ago have been fighting for rehabilitation. They have still not gotten rights to the land on which they were asked to settle down after they were asked to move out of the project sites. Recently, the district administration conducted a survey covering over 9,000 acres of land being cultivated by farmers displaced by the project. However, many farmers filed objections stating that the survey did not consider their claims. The officers are addressing over 2,000 objections filed.

Forest issues

The Deputy Commissioner further said that issues concerning forest land and encroachment of revenue land, including the tanks, will be other top-priority areas in the district. He will discuss the issues with the officers concerned and also take inputs from officers who worked earlier in the district.

Besides this, he will focus on land acquisition for various projects, including the highway works, and will strive towards making the services of the Revenue Department easily available to citizens.

Law and order

Superintendent of Police Nikhil B., who also took part in the interaction programme, said his priority is to make the district free of narcotic drugs. The police will engage other departments and non-government organisations in achieving the goal.

He said the police will also focus on maintaining law and order in the district and hold youth committee meetings regularly to ensure harmony and peace. He added that they will take stern action against those who spread rumours to disturb peace.

The interaction was organised by Shivamogga Press Trust. Office-bearers of the trust N. Manjunath, Nagaraj Nerige and Santhosh Kachinakatte were present.