Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, May 12: Sri Vishveshateertha Swamiji, head of Paryaya Pejawar Math, has urged the state government not to give its nod for the acquisition of 3,000 acres of land spread over Permude and Kuttettur villages in Mangaluru taluk to facilitate fourth phase expansion of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL).

He was addressing a press conference organized at Srikrishna Math after holding talks with a delegation of activists fighting against the special economic zone, on Wednesday May 11.

"Two years back, residents of these villages supported by us had fought against sanctioning land for the expansion of the said project. As a result, the government led by Yeddyurappa had denotified these lands. Efforts to acquire these lands have begun once again. Already the twin-districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada have been suffering from problems like drinking water shortage and environment pollution. Therefore, expansion of the industries is not in the interests of these districts," he asserted.

The Swamiji recollected that large tracts of land earlier acquired for this project has been left unused. This unused land can be used for expansion plans, and no new land acquisition should take place, he reiterated. He also called upon all the legislators and MPs from the region to steadfastly extend support to the villagers on this issue.

Environmentalist, Vidya Dinkar, speaking on the occasion, pointed out that land allotted for the first, second and third phase of MRPL expansion project has not been fully utilized. She said that the deputy commissioner of the district too does not have any information on this issue. She resented efforts being made by the government to begin land acquisition process afresh through Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board.

Govindadas and Natesh of Krishi Bhoomi Samrakshana Samiti were present.