Govt's U-turn; MSEZ second phase called off

July 13, 2011

Bangalore, July 13: More than the farmers, it's the voice of the pontiffs which is feared the most by the BJP government in Karnataka.

Succumbing to the threat of an indefinite hunger strike by Vishvesha Thirtha Swami of Pejawar mutt, the Karnataka government on Tuesday denotified 1,998.03 acres of land acquired for a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Mangalore.

On Tuesday morning, the pontiff had threatened to go on a fast from Wednesday. By night, the government issued the denotification order.

Likening forcible acquisition of farmers' land to forcing people to change their caste, Vishvesha Thirtha Swami said the government should not acquire fertile land for industrial purposes.

"Only barren land should be acquired. Acquisition of fertile land goes against central and state government guidelines,'' he maintained.

On learning about the pontiff's plan, industries minister Murugesh R Nirani took chief minister B S Yeddyurappa's permission, requested the pontiff to drop the idea of going on a hunger strike, and announced the denotification — all in a matter of a few hours.

As the seer insisted on a government order, the government acted swiftly and issued the order by night.

The problem had begun after the KIADB, on May 10, 2007, issued a preliminary notification for acquisition of an additional 2,035.31 acres (including 37.28 acres of government land) for phase II of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) project . People and several NGOs opposed the acquisition, and the pontiff supported their cause.

The ONGC, a premier enterprise of the Union government , is establishing the SEZ near Mangalore. It is to set up downstream units for Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd.

ALL IN A DAY

Tuesday morning:

Pejawar seer threatens a fast if government doesn't denotify land for MSEZ

Afternoon:

Govt promises land would be returned; seer insists on a government order

Night:

A sheepish government issues the denotification order, double quick

WHAT NEXT?

The company will have to develop the SEZ in the already acquired 1,721 acres. The Union government has given its formal approval for this sector-specific SEZ.

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Mangaluru to witness 23 km human chain on International Day of Democracy

News Network

September 12,2024

Mangaluru: Mayor Sudheer Shetty Kannur said that as a part of the International Day of Democracy, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) will hold a 23-km long human chain and plant 1000 saplings in the Bengre area on September 15.

The human chain will be formed from Pavanje bridge to the border of Arkula, which will pass through Nanthoor Junction- Kannur Junction. The event is organised with the objective of creating awareness among the public, particularly the youth, about the significance of democracy. Around 10,000 people, particularly students, will participate in forming the human chain in the city limits, he told media persons.

He said Democratic system in India is a model to the world and we should be grateful to Dr B R Ambedkar for giving the country a beautiful constitution. To make the people, particularly the youth, aware of the Constitution and its preamble, the state government has chalked out a plan to form a mega human chain from Bidar to Chamrajnagar. As a part of it, the programme will be held in Mangaluru. Students from various schools, colleges, various organisations, NGOs should actively participate to make the event a grand success.”

The Mayor said as a part of the celebrations, an arch will be built at Pavanje bridge and Kannur Junction. The Zonal office at Surathkal will be decorated with tri colour along with KPC Circle, Nanthoor Junction, Padil Junction. The main programme will be held at Kadri Circle near Circuit House in Mangaluru, which will be attended by DK MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, MLAs D Vedavyasa Kamath, Dr Y Bharath Shetty, DC Mullai Muhilan MP and others. Flags will be placed for every 100 metre of the human chain stretch. The participants can click their photos and upload it through https://democracydaykarnataka.in/ to collect a certificate, added the mayor.

The human chain will be held from Pavanje to Mukka checkpost, Mukka chepost to Mukka Junction, Mukka Junction to NITK gate, NITK gate to Tadambail Junction, Tadambail Junction to Hotel Suraj, Hotel Suraj to Govinda Dasa College, Govinda Dasa College to Kordabbu Daivasthana, Hosabettu, Kordabbu Daivasthana to Honnakatte Junction, Kulai to APMC, Baikampady, Hotel Vishwasagar to Mangaluru traffic police check post , Mangaluru traffic police check post to Panambur circle, Panambur Circle to NMPA railway track, MCF to Kuloor bridge, Kuloor bridge to Gold Finch ground, Gold Finch ground to Kottara Chowki, Kottara Chowki to BMS Hotel, BMS Hotel to SKS apartment, KPT to Saptagiri petrol bunk, Nanthoor Circle to Kaikamba, Maroli Jodukatte till Padil Circle, Padil to First Neuro Hospital – Kannur Junction, Adyar Katte to Sahyadri College, Sahyadri College to Expert Cross (Valacchil), Express Cross to Arkula border.

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