NJS to challenge HC verdict on KIADB land case

Udupi, Sept 6 (UNI) The Nandikur Janajagrithi Samithi (NJS), waging a battle against Nagarjuna Power Company Limited (NPCL) in Udupi district would challenge the order of the Karnataka High Court, dismissing the writ petition filed by the villagers of Yellur in Udupi Taluk against acquisition of their land by the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB).

The Executive President of the Samithi, Balakrishna Shetty today said the landowners held a meeting with the Samithi yesterday to decide upon the future course of action in order to save their livelihood. After receiving the copy of the Court order, the villagers would approach the Supreme Court to challenge the order, he added.

He said the Samithi was of the opinion that the landowners have valid arguments against land acquisition. The lands were the lifeline of the villagers who are self-employed, he added.

Mr Shetty said considering the present loss of 40 per cent in theft, the end-users would get only about 600 MW from this project and the Samithi would not subscribe to the theory that the benefits of the project could commensurate with the health, environment and livelihood losses.

He alleged that it was not known whether the Nagarjuna project was sold to Lanco with the connivance of the Government. The project was earlier sold by JESCO to Nagarjuna, he added.

He alleged that Lanco was attempting to sell the project to Reliance, but the Government did not seem to show any interest in calling for tariff bidding.

Mr Shetty said three more Public Interest Litigations (PILs) were filed against the project and the petition filed by the Panchayat was also pending. There were other land acquisition cases pending as well, he added.

UNI