No order to evict houses on encroached land: MLA Naik

Sirsi: MLA Bhimanna Naik said the state government’s circular only directs officials not to collect taxes from houses on encroached and Gavathana land and does not order the demolition of any houses.Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, he said encroached land was widespread in the district, but no houses had been demolished. Leaders had enabled poor people to build homes and obtain house numbers.Village committeesHe recalled that in its previous term, the Congress government had formed village forest committees, allowing people to retain such land.Karnataka High Court issues notice on PIL challenging govt order regarding eviction of forest encroachmentsNaik said the circular would soon be corrected and the public would not face any hardship.“We do not want a position of power that requires evicting people,” he said.He questioned why the BJP is criticising the state government when the Union BJP government had neither addressed encroachers’ issues nor provided justice.Opposing the imposition of the Kasturirangan report, MLA Naik said, “BJP leaders are creating fear among people at the panchayat level. However, we have already taken up the circular issue with the minister concerned. We stand with the people and will not allow them to face any hardship.”

Source: Deccan Herald