Hindu

Infosys security personnel charged with obstructing work

Agitators threaten to fence 4.8-acre plot

Five houses are being constructed on the site

Mangalore, Mar 2: President and members of the Kurnad gram panchayat near Konaje have threatened to fence a 4.8-acre plot to protect the panchayat’s right to construct houses for the poor there.

They alleged that the land was being acquired by Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board for Infosys Technologies Ltd.

Lolakshi, president of Kurnad gram panchayat, and its members, including its past vice-president Sathish Shetty, told presspersons here on Saturday that five houses were being constructed on a plot adjacent to the land allotted to Infosys near Konaje. The houses were being constructed under a State Government scheme to provide shelter to the poor. The houses were at various stages of construction. But the work had been stopped by the security personnel guarding the Infosys premises, they said.

Charge denied

The sources in Infosys Technologies Ltd., however, denied the charge and said that the company had sought to acquire the land long ago but the process was not through. The company had no locus standi on the land and hence could not prevent any work on it, they said.

Protesters’ plight

The agitators said that the work had to be completed before March-end as otherwise, the beneficiaries of the housing scheme might lose the opportunity of getting a house. They would get the sanctioned amount of Rs. 30,000 each after the completion of houses.

Panchayat’s action

Hence, the panchayat would fence the area to ensure construction of houses without hindrance, they said.

The protesters circulated the copy of a document, issued by the assistant commissioner of Mangalore sub-division dated October 30, 2006, which states that the land on survey No. 116/1AP1 was reserved for allotting housing sites for the poor. The document also states that the land should used for the purpose within two years.

Survey sought

In her letter to the special land acquisition officer, Lolakshi has sought a joint survey by the KIADB and the Revenue officials. Shetty said that the land belonged to the Revenue Department and hence the presence of department’s surveyor was required. When contacted, the KIADB officials sought time to comment on the issue.