From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Feb 9: Brushing aside the vehement opposition from BJP and the JD(S), Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority Bill on Monday.

The Bill is aimed preventing and removal of encroachment of lake areas and its drainage system in Bengaluru and other municipal corporations.

BJP Opposition leader Jagadish Shettar, H D Kumaraswamy and Y S V Datta, both JD(S), S Suresh Kumar, C T Ravi, Govind Karjol and Visvesvara Hegde Kageri (all BJP) raised objections to the definition of "lake" and other provisions in the Bill.

The opposition members said the enforcement of the Act would lead to demolition of houses and buildings constructed on lake-beds by private as well as government.

“What you (Government) will do to those housing layouts developed on tank beds by the BDA and private developers in Bengaluru?," Kumaraswamy asked and said the enforcement of the Act would be a big blow to the common people.

Though Opposition members acknowledged the importance of the Bill, they expressed apprehensions on the implementation of the Act.

Forest Minister B Ramanath Rai said the Bill provides for exercising regulatory control over all the lakes within the jurisdiction of all municipal corporations and Bangalore Development Authority.

The legislation is aimed at creation of habitat of wetland for aquatic biodiversity, water-birds and aquatic plants controlling pollution of lakes.

Persons who were found discharging untreated sewerage into the lake, dump debris and construct buildings will be liable for three years of punishment, which might be extended to five years with a fine of not less than Rs 10,000.

If the government servant failed to report unlawful occupation of lake, then the official would be punished with imprisonment for one year and fine of Rs 10,000.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra assured the House that the interest of the common people would be safeguarded while framing the rules to the Act.

A House committee headed by K B Koliwad (Congress) has been constituted to study lakes and rules would be framed based on its recommendations, he said.

Opposition members said rules cannot be framed contrary to the provisions of the Act and demanded that the government should protect the interests of the poorer and middle class sections of the society.