News: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (RD)
Udupi, Jan 28: The district Raita Sangh has given a call to voters residing in nine gram panchayats to boycott the forthcoming by-polls for Udupi–Chikmagalur Lok Sabha constituency, over the environmental issues caused by UPCL. The state Raita Sangh also extended full support in this regard.
The district Raita Sangh urged the voters residing in the villages under the limits of Padubidri, Hejamady, Yellur, Mudarangady, Palimar, Inna, Yermal, Ucchila, and Belapu gram panchayats, to ensure sustenance of their farm produce, irrigating water bodies, potable water sources, and grazing lands that are affected by the environmental destruction caused by the UPCL power plant, by boycotting the forthcoming parliamentary elections.
They alleged that the proposal to set up a cement factory at Padebettu to convert ashes generated from the UPCL power plant is likely to extend the environmental destruction to other villages. The sourcing of water from the Shambavi River by UPCL authorities is unscientific as it irrigates thousands of acres of farmlands along its bank, alleged the activists of district Raita Sangh.
Raita Sangh alleged that the state administration led by the BJP is favouring UPCL and a legal battle will be waged against BJP president Eshwarappa, district-in-charge minister Dr V S Acharya, Kaup MLA Lalaji R Mendon, former deputy commissioners Ponnuraj and Hemalata, state environment authority chairman Sadashivayya, member secretary Puttabuddi, former HC judge P D Dinakaran for their role in strengthening the foothold of UPCL in the district.
The contractor LANCO has been operating with fake licenses thereby cheating the local people, alleged the Sangh.
District Raita Sangh president Vijay Kumar Hegde, Sasidar Shetty, Prashant Shetty, Ashok Palimar, and Bhaskar were present at the press meet.