The Hindu : Karnataka News : Evolve alternative forest policy, Govt. urged

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 16, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

Evolve alternative forest policy, Govt. urged

By Our Staff Correspondent

HASSAN, MARCH 15. The secretary of the State committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), G.N. Nagaraj, has urged the Government to evolve an alternative concept that is pro-tribal and ecology specific.

A team of experts consisting of Mr. Nagaraj; the agriculture economist, Prakash Kammaradi; the noted film director, Girish Kasaravalli; H.L. Keshava Murthy, and Santhosh Koujalagi visited several villages in Koppa and Sringeri taluks of Chikmagalur district to study the problems of the tribal people recently.

Land rights

Mr. Nagaraj, who was here to participate in the meeting of District Organizing Committee here on Tuesday, told presspersons that since tribal people are also part of bio-diversity, it is wise to form Kudremukh National Park by granting them land rights. Announcing rehabilitation packages will not serve any purpose, he added.

Bangarappa factor

Welcoming the exit of former Chief Minister, S. Bangarappa, from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he said that Mr. Bangarappa's exit will strengthen the secular forces.

Mr. Bangarappa recently joined the Samajwadi Party.

The formation of Sarvodaya Karanataka will help in the polarisation of secular forces.

Both the developments will help in keeping the BJP away from power in the State, he said.

Attack condemned

Reacting to the alleged inhuman treatment meted to two persons said to be involved in transporting cattle in Udupi district, he accused the Sangh Parivar organisations, including Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishat of running parallel governments.

He urged the authorities concerned to initiate action against those involved.

He threatened to launch an agitation if the miscreants are not apprehended.

Challenge

Disputing the claim of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) that many of its leaders took part in the freedom struggle, he alleged that the RSS members cooperated with the British.

Reacting to the statements of noted novelist, S.L. Bhyrappa, and scholar, Chidananda Murthy, in this regard, he asked them to study history with the right perspective.

He claimed that many revolutionaries joined the Communist Party after being disillusioned by the divisive ideology of RSS.

He also regretted the in fights in the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Congress and urged both the parties to sink their differences.

He said that the BJP will make use of the opportunity to grab power.

Welcoming the waiver of interest on cooperative loans to the tune of Rs. 450 crores, Mr. Nagraj he said that the budget presented by the Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister, Siddaramaiah, was "World Bank dictated" and "anti-people."

The Budget did not focus on correcting regional imbalance, he said.

Criticised

Criticising the privatisation of the power sector, he said that it will affect the farmers and the poor. He exhorted the Government to drop the move.

Taking a dig at the abolition of posts, he said that it will increase unemployment.

He was also displeased with the apathy towards the agriculture sector.

He said that the Government has not taken enough steps to end farmers' problem.

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