Deputy speaker breaks down over forest department eviction drive

Haveri: The deputy speaker of the legislative assembly and Haveri MLA broke down during a Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) review meeting at the zilla parishad hall here Friday after alleging that the forest department had planned to clear land belonging to several people, including him, in executing a Supreme Court order."How can they clear land where we've lived since my grandfather's time? This behaviour is frustrating. They are evicting people who have lived there for many years. Now, the officials are trying to evict the whole village of Khanderayanahalli in Ranebennur taluk," Rudrappa Lamani complained. "How can I bear the harassment of common people by the forest department?" he questioned, adding that he had informed the forest minister about the issue. MLA Lamani also said FIRs were filed against two people regarding the STP unit compound near Guttal. Responding to the deputy speaker's charge, deputy commissioner Vijay Mahantesh Danammanavar questioned the DFO, saying: "Do not obstruct people's work. Are you filing cases against everyone without a reason?" In his reply, the DFO, Akshay, tried to reason with the MLA and DC, but failed, following which, Haveri district in-charge minister Shivananda Patil instructed Akshay to "resolve the issue". Box Minister cites TOI report Haveri district in-charge minister Shivanand Patil cited a TOI report on misuse of Rs 2 crore under the RRP scheme during Friday's meeting at the zilla parishad. The report was published in TOI on April 7. The minister questioned how one could draw grants without making any plantation under the RRP scheme. "Moreover, officials have also drawn more than Rs 7 crore for maintaining these plants. This has brought disrepute to the department and the district," the minister said. He added that the DFO should submit a detailed report by Saturday and recommend appropriate action against the officers who were involved in the scam. "Otherwise, I will report this to higher authority," the minister warned. Reacting to this, DFO Akshay assured that he would submit a detailed report on the reported financial irregularity.