Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD/SP)
Udupi, Apr 20: MLA K Raghupati Bhat has undertaken 'barren land cultivation movement' all over Udupi assembly constituency. As the first phase of this movement, the work of desilting of drains to allow water to freely flow into the fields, was jointly set into motion by the MLA and deputy commissioner (DC) of the district, G Jagadeesha.
Initially the drain through which water flows into the fields near Kelapsarkala Gopalakrishna temple in the city was taken up for clearing the debris.
Speaking on the occasion, DC Jagadeesha, said that the act allows the government to take into possession agricultural land that has been left untilled for two years. He said that the tahsildars have been advised to identify the lands which have been left uncultivated. "In the second stage, we will serve notices to owners of the lands. Even thereafter if they do not undertake farming, there is provision for the government to take over the lands that are uncultivated," he stressed.
Raghupati Bhat said that the movement will be undertaken in 35 wards of the municipality and within the limits of certain gram panchayats. He said that the department of agriculture and others have been extending support for the programme.
City BJP unit president Mahesh Thakur, chairman of Urban Development Authority, Raghavendra Kini, municipal standing committee chairpersons Girish Anchan, municipal councillor Manjunath Manipal and others were present.