Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)
Mangaluru, June 11: State convener of Pashchima Gatta Samrakshana Samiti (PGSS), Somashekar demanded apology by former union minister M Veerappa Moily and superintendent engineer of Karnataka Niravari Nigama LTD (KNNL), Venugopal for giving irresponsible statements on the controversial Yettinahole project.
Addressing a press meet here on Saturday, June 11, Somashekar said, “There are about four cases pending in national green tribunal, Chennai regarding Yettinahole project. The case which was filed by me had completed all formalities and the judge had prepared a hundred-page report but since the technical expert professor Nagendran resigned from his position, it could not be declared as it required his signature. This created serious suspension as to why professor Nagendran resigned after receiving this report.”
“On May 30 Veerappa Moily and superintendent engineer of KNNL, Venugopal despite the knowledge of the pendency of the disputes in respect of Yettinahole project, made statements to press and public in Bangalore that National green tribunal has given all the clearance for the implementation of the project. The statements were made intentionally to mislead the people of Kolar and Chikballapur. Being public representative and servant of the state their statements are condemnable.”
“Giving such wrong statements about a dispute which is pending in National green tribunal, Chennai is contempt of court. So I have given them the notice through registered post by the lawyer. They both have to ask for unconditional apology through both print and visual media within three days of receiving the notice. If they do not do so then I will file contempt of court petition in the court.”
“The Yettinahole project is a big failure. About 178 such projects with over 2.5 lack crores have been wasted by the various governments in the past. Many engineers have taken transfers and resigned as they knew this project will not succeed and it would be unethical implementing such project. This project is like keeping a dead man in ICU. All the people have to step on streets and protest against this. If few people and organisations protest it is not enough.”
Dinesh Holla and Shashidar Shetty were also present at the press meet.