Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Dec 30: A V Ramanand Rao (90), resident of Yellur village panchayat, alleged that the old panchayat building had been demolished by the trustees of Vishweshwar Temple including a few panchayat members. The old building has a 70-year history.

He was speaking at a press meet held on Monday December 29 at Press Club, Udupi, and stated that he was fighting this in the interest of humanity. “The trustees and panchayat members had signed a written agreement. Panchayat has destroyed the building without any permission from the higher authorities. Now, they have planned to convert it into a complex. The land has not yet been converted into commercial land,” added Rao.

Being an RTI activist, Rao had collected all information on the panchayat land by utilizing the RTI Act.

“There was a Yuvaka Mandala on the premises, but unfortunately, no one opposed the activity, though they knew the facts,” he alleged. According to Rao, now the youth had shifted to a new building without any protest.

Rao had submitted an appeal to DC Vishal and then sent a report to Bengaluru commission. After a second appeal, he received the response asking him to conduct a survey on lost properties belonging to the panchayat. According to Rao, the temple surroundings are blessed with all fundamental needs like auto stand, roads, etc.

He urged the Karnataka Lokayukta to conduct a survey of lost properties. Rao further said to register the 10 cents land of which belongs to Yelluru panchayat, Udupi taluk.