Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS/HB)

Udupi, Nov 14: G A Koteyar, president of NGO Mahiti Seva Samiti or Maha Adhikar Sanrakshan Samiti (MASS) India has urged the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) company to pay suitable compensation to the citizens whose land is acquired by the company for the second phase expansion of the pipeline for its crude oil unit.

Koteyar was speaking at a press conference held in the city on Tuesday November 13. "ISPRL organization has already made preparations for the second phase pipeline of its crude oil unit and this pipeline passes through 24 villages including the villages of Padur, Kalathur, Tokur and Chandranagara. The government had to give notification to the villagers before beginning the second phase expansion, but they have not done so. People who lost their land during the first phase of the project have not yet received the compensation. The central government has to pay the compensation amount as per the Land Acquisition Compensation Act. This is the direct responsibility of the central government.

"The compensation amount of a few villagers who lost their land in the first phase of the project is paid by cash. As per the law, this should be paid by cheque. So the central government has to give information about the compensation that is paid to some people. The people of the affected areas have already lost their fertile land and coconut trees. The politicians and the government officials have paid the compensation only to people who are in their good books. No law is followed in giving compensation," accused Koteyar.

Continuing his accusation against ISPRL, Koteyar further said, "The exact map of the second phase pipeline laying should be shown to the public. The compensation amount that will be paid to the land losers has to be informed within 90 days through media. Due to the activities carried out by ISPRL, the air quality of the surrounding areas is deteriorated and people are having respiratory problems. The locals are quiet without expressing any opposition.

"A letter is written to the chief minister with regards to this issue in which nine demands are placed before the government. The deputy commissioner of the district has received a letter on October 10 from the office of the chief minister to get the ground report. However, no action is taken in this regard so far. The state government, central government, KIADB and ISPRL should provide proper compensation to the people who lost their land for this project. Already an application is given to take proper information."

Irene Tauro Kaup and members of Mahiti Seva Samiti were present at the press conference.