Media persons grill SHS chief over MSEZ issue

[email protected] (CD Network)
March 3, 2011

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Mangalore, March 3: A heated debate sparked between media persons and Bajpe-Permude-Kalavaru Samyukth Hitharakshana Samithi (SHS) President Bhujanga Shetty on Thursday, when the latter held a press meet at the city's Press Club to clarify his stance on the issue of project displaced families of Mangalore Special Economic Zone.

The development came as hundreds of youth, belonging to MSEZ affected families, who have already completed training and those who are being trained at the Karnataka Polytechnic are staging an indefinite hunger strike seeking the fulfillment of the promise of providing job to them.

Although SHS was formed to represent the project displaced families, its leaders are now accused of sidelining the interest of the MSEZ victims and developing clandestine understanding with the MSEZ.

Media persons grilled Shetty for over an hour questioning the genuineness and transparency of the SHS, which initially led the fight for job of displaced family youths.

However, reassuring the honesty of his Samithi in fighting for the cause of youth cheated by the MSEZ, Shetty said 87 youth have already been placed with various jobs among 355 job applicants who completed their training, and the struggle will continue until MSEZ officials fulfill their promise.

To a query about whether he visited the youth, who are staging hunger strike in front of DC Office from since March 1, he gave an evasive reply that SHS will not violate law and hold a legal protest if the upcoming crucial meeting, was stalled without making any headway. “The a meeting of project displaced would be held at Mangalore a couple of days after both Assembly and Parliament session end, along with MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and other representatives to discuss the issue thoroughly and arrive at solutions” he said.

He also agreed that Kateel and Palemar had directed him to refrain from the protest.

When asked why he and his Samithi had kept mum on the issue of Gregory Patrao, whose land had been acquired after demolishing standing crops, Shetty said “Gregory Patrao himself walked out of our Samithi and did not want our support.”

However, he said that he would represent the displaced families though they do not want his representation.

Rubbishing the allegation that he was benefited by the MSEZ, Mr Shetty said he is struggling for the victims of MSEZ and it will continue until displaced families get justice.

Sharathchandra Shetty, Jayanth Salian and others were present.




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News Network
March 19,2024

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Bengaluru, Mar 19: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said that the Congress will split in three months after the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and its impact will be visible on the Siddaramaiah-led state government.

"Due to internal squabbles, the state government will not last long," the BJP leader said.

Talking to reporters on Monday, he said the sitting MP from the Gadag-Haveri constituency, Shivakumar Udasi, has done a lot of development work and implemented the Central government's schemes effectively.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi will surely become the PM for the third time. The overall response has been good in the Gadag-Haveri Lok Sabha constituency," the former Karnataka chief minister said.

Asked if he was contesting the election in a half-hearted manner in the Gadag-Haveri seat, Bommai said "such a question does not arise when the party's high command gives instructions".

He said he would respect his opponent and not take anyone lightly. 

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News Network
March 14,2024

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Udupi: In a freak mishap, a 65-year-old man lost his life after being hit by his own bus which was being repaired at a garage at Athrady in Udupi district on Wednesday, March 13.

The deceased has been identified as Dayanand Shetty, the owner of a private bus.

It is learnt that the bus had been kept for repairs at the garage and Dayanand had gone there to inspect the repair works.

At this time, the mechanic started the engine and the bus moved ahead. Dayanand, who was standing in front of the bus, came under its wheels.

He was immediately rushed to a hospital where he died without responding to the treatment. A case is registered at jurisdictional Manipal police station.

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News Network
March 16,2024

Mangaluru: In the wake of complaints regarding middlemen menace, sleuths of Lokayukta on Friday, March 15, conducted a raid at the Mangaluru Urban Development Authority. 

The Lokayukta team found unaccounted money and several files, which were not disposed of for a long period.

Lokayukta SP CA Simon said that the Lokayukta has received complaints that middlemen have been interfering in the MUDA office, and files pertaining to the public are not being cleared on time.

A raid that commenced in the evening on March 13, lasted for 18 hours. During the raid, Lokayukta officials found cash in a bag in MUDA office, and also with officials and others. MUDA officials could not inform the source of money found in their office, the SP said.

Further, he said that many people gathered at the MUDA office during the Lokayukta raid, and have raised complaints about the harassment at the urban development authority. “We have gathered evidence for MUDA officials carrying out file disposal processes through brokers on phone calls. The investigation on the MUDA network will be continued,” he said.

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