MANGALORE: The proposal for setting up a 4,000 mw ultra mega power project at Niddodi in Moodbidri will be discussed in the Congress Manifesto Implementation Committee.
Veteran Congress leader, B Janardhan Poojary, who is one of the members of the committee, told reporters that he will raise the issue at the committee meeting. “I will ask chief minister to review the decision and drop the proposal as people there oppose it. It is our duty to respond to peoples’ demand. We will oppose the project, if it has disastrous impact on the environment,” he said.
He also said that the new Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, which will be introduced in the Parliament, will not allow governments to set up a mega project without the consent of the people.
“Acquisition of agriculture land is not easy if the bill is passed. The bill mandates the consent from 80% of the people to be displaced while taking up such projects. In addition, an approval from the gram sabha is also made mandatory in the bill. The bill also ensures better compensation package for the displaced families,” he said adding that it is aimed at protecting agricultural land and helping the poor in villages.
Poojary criticized that BJP and other opposition parties for opposing such pro-people bills in the Parliament.
Poojary also slammed JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda for his alleged secret tie-up with BJP.
