Five pc park land use proposal under review, says CM Shivakumar

Bengaluru, Sep 1 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday said the proposal to allow the use of five per cent of land in public parks would be reviewed in detail, including decisions made by the previous governments.

Speaking to reporters near his residence in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said he would examine why the proposal was brought, what decisions had been taken by previous governments and which plots had been allotted to whom.

“I will examine why this proposal to give five per cent of park land was brought, what the previous governments had done and which land was given to whom. I will call for the files, and the matter can be discussed again in the Assembly,” he said.

He said the use of land in Lalbagh for the Metro project and allotment of land at various other locations in Bengaluru would also have to be examined.

Responding to questions about park land in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said there was no need for anyone to be apprehensive.

“No one needs to worry. I know how to protect park land,” he said.

He said complete information would be obtained and reviewed regarding the steps taken by the previous BJP government concerning park land, including Lalbagh. He also said an opportunity would be provided to discuss the issue again in the Assembly.

Shivakumar said he was open to suggestions from the Opposition as well as the public.

“I am open to suggestions from the Opposition. I will also consider suggestions from the public. My intention is not to create any confusion. Decisions will be taken keeping the larger public interest in mind,” he said.

On the drought situation in Karnataka, Shivakumar said 102 taluks have already been declared drought-affected by Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, while the government was examining the situation in several more taluks.

He said reports were being collected continuously from individual taluks and the final decision would be taken after an assessment in accordance with the prescribed norms.

Shivakumar said the government was taking care to ensure that there were no technical lapses in the drought declaration process, as the state would have to present its case before a Central government team visiting Karnataka to assess the drought situation.

He said reports were being sought from officials following a lack of adequate information regarding drought conditions in several districts, including Dharwad and Gadag.

The Chief Minister said he was personally visiting some locations to assess the situation and would also visit Bagalkot.

“We will examine which taluk and which district is genuinely facing drought. There is no question of considering any area as my own constituency. There are rules laid down by the Central government for declaring drought. The Revenue Department, Agriculture Department and other concerned departments will jointly assess the situation, and drought-affected areas will be declared strictly according to the rules,” he said.

Reacting to the registration of an FIR against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shivakumar termed it a politically motivated action.

“What wrong has Rahul Gandhi done? It is his right to fight for the youth and the country. It is a right guaranteed by the Constitution. We all stand with him on the issues for which he is fighting,” he said.

On the BJP’s ongoing “Ballari Chalo” padayatra, Shivakumar said the Opposition party’s decision to undertake the march would provide an opportunity for Congress. “It is good that they are undertaking a padayatra. What they are doing is a good opportunity for us. Our party is also ready to formulate a counter-strategy,” he said.

--IANS

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