Mangalore: DC Attempts to Resolve Gregory Patrao-KIADB Stalemate
Pics: Sphoorthy Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (SR/CN)
Mangalore, Jul 17: A discussion on the Gregory Patrao case took place in the deputy commissioner’s (DC) office on Saturday July 17.
DC V Ponnuraj, with other officials, visited the Kalavar where Patrao’s family lived in a shed after the demolition. The discussion was held at the DC’s office by regional commissioner Jayanthi in the presence of everyone involved in the case.
Speaking to Daijiworld, the regional commissioner said that they wanted to solve the case as soon as possible and five demands have been put forward to Patrao and the others involved.
“The things belonging to Patrao which were damaged or taken away cannot be given back till the case is withdrawn by Patrao and Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL), and Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ), as cases from both sides are pending in court”, said Jayanthi.
“There is a plan to give separate land to Patrao as a substitute, but he wants his ancestral land. The file has been submitted to the government and the case will be soon solved”, she added.
Speaking to Daijiworld, Patrao said that PA Jose from MRPL administration said that there will be problem for his land in future due to the chemicals of the industry and had asked him to vacate the land.
Patrao also accused the company of making false promises of providing jobs to the displaced farmers’ families. He said, “I am the managing director (MD) of my land. If you make me MD of your company then I may leave the land as you give false promises of jobs to the farmer’s family”.
He added that some officials of KIADB are staying in the same location including surveyor and regional officer who are waiting to make money and the decisions of officials are getting influenced by corruption.
Assistant commissioner Prabhuling Kavilikatte, MSEZ chief executive officer and chief executive officer AG Pai, KIADB office of the special land acquisition officer S Krishna Murthy, and supporters of Gregory were present at the discussion.