MP: Need Cooperation of Officials to Resolve Sharavathi Evacuees' Issues

Says SC has permitted central and state secretaries to hold talks to resolve the matter

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Shivamogga

MP B Y Raghavendra urged officials and farmers to work together towards resolving the decades-old rehabilitation concerns of Sharavathi Project evacuees.

Presiding over a meeting with officials and displaced residents at the DC's office here on Tuesday evening, Raghavendra said that 9,129 acres have been identified for survey, including lands under Forest and Revenue departments.

However, he acknowledged ongoing confusion among both farmers and officials, with several victims reportedly cultivating lands beyond the marked boundaries.

"The Supreme Court has permitted central and state secretaries to hold talks to resolve the matter," Raghavendra said, adding district officials must treat this as a serious opportunity and act decisively.

Former minister Hartalu Halappa said a forest settlement officer should be appointed to identify genuine victims, in line with the Supreme Court's directive for coordination between state and central authorities.

One of the evacuees, Timmappa, claimed earlier land data covering around 6,000 acres was inaccurate. He stressed the need for a fresh survey, saying recent data inconsistencies have resulted in revenue lands being mistakenly categorized as forest land.