Hassan: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the state government will discuss the Kasturirangan report in the legislature before finalising its response to the Centre, and indicated that an all-party delegation of MLAs and MPs could meet the Prime Minister and Union ministers to present the concerns of farmers and local residents.
Addressing a public consultation at the APMC yard in Sakleshpur, Shivakumar said the Centre had asked Karnataka to convey its views on the report by September 27. The government was holding consultations with people in the affected areas before taking a final position, he said.
Shivakumar said the report, which concerns the ecologically sensitive areas of the Western Ghats, would be discussed in the legislature along with issues such as physical surveys, Gram Sabhas, Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA), Zonal Management Plans and land rights.
The government has convened a special three-day legislative session from September 21 to 23 to discuss the Kasturirangan report, drought and farmers’ issues.
The deputy chief minister said the state had earlier rejected the Kasturirangan report, but the government was examining the concerns and suggestions emerging from other states and from residents before submitting its response to the Centre.
“We have come to your doorstep to stand by you and be your voice,” Shivakumar said.
Shivakumar directed forest officials not to harass farmers by issuing unnecessary notices. He said the government would take steps to address pending applications under Akrama-Sakrama, Bagar Hukum and the Forest Rights Act.
He also said the government would discuss the possibility of submitting a proposal to the Centre on provisions concerning land rights under the Forest Rights Act.
The deputy chief minister also asked people possessing illegal or unlicensed firearms to surrender them to the authorities by November 1.
He said the possibility of issuing licences could be examined in accordance with existing rules wherever applicable, while warning that action would be taken against those found possessing illegal firearms after the deadline.
Shivakumar said the government’s public consultations were aimed at directly hearing people’s concerns, including in constituencies where the ruling party does not have an MLA.
The state government’s consultations come amid growing debate over the Kasturirangan report and its potential implications for farmers and communities living in the Western Ghats.
