HASSAN:People and elected representatives opposed the implementation of Kasturirangan Committee report on Western Ghats without adequate compensations to affected people.
At a meeting of a cabinet sub-committee comprising Tourism Minister R V Deshpande and Energy Minister D K Shivakumar held here on Saturday, most of the participants, including sitting and former MLAs urged the government to implement the report only after providing basic infrastructure to the affected families of 35 villages in the area.
Sakleshpur MLA H K Kumaraswamy said villagers lack information about the report as officials are yet to provide details.
“People’s problems can be addressed better if the cabinet sub-committee holds a meeting at Sakleshpur town. The government can implement the report after rehabilitating the affected people,” he added.
Former MLA H M Vishvanath said the state government is yet to fulfil the demands of the people affected by the Gundya hydel project and the ongoing Yettinahole integrated drinking water project.
The government has a hidden agenda, he said. The Forest Department can acquire land by giving a compensation of Rs 50 lakh per acre, he added.
Belur MLA Y N Rudreshgowda and former Rajya Sabha member HK Javaregowda have also urged the government to provide compensation to the affected families.
Environmentalists Kishore Kumar, H P Mohan, Sheshapappa, Anugunalu and Krishnamurthy said the government can implement the report after suitably modifying it.
Elected representatives Krishnegowda of Kerodi, Narayana Alwa, Ravikumar, Uday, Vikram, Krishnamurthy, Subash, Tarachandan and Radhakrishna also urged the government not to implement the Kasturirangan report.
Deshpande said the cabinet sub-committee will study the pros and cons before sending a proposal to the Union Environment Ministry which will take a final decision in this regard.
The government will take small farmers into confidence, he added.
Arkalgud MLA A Manju, former MLC S M Anand, Deputy Commissioner Umesh Kusugal and Zilla Panchayat CEO Upendra Pratap Singh, PCCF Vinay Lutra and secretary Saibaba were present on the occasion.