Chief Minister Announces Review
Karnataka Chief Minister K. Shivakumar said on September 1 that the government would review a proposal allowing up to five percent of park and garden land to be used for other purposes. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said he would examine why the proposal was brought, what decisions had been taken by previous governments, and which plots had been allotted to whom.
"I will examine why this proposal to give five per cent of park land was brought, what the previous governments had done and which land was given to whom. I will call for the files, and the matter can be discussed again in the Assembly," he said.
Shivakumar said he was open to suggestions from the Opposition and the public before taking a final decision, adding that he was "revisiting the entire issue." He also said the use of land in Lalbagh for the Metro project and allotment of land at other locations in Bengaluru would be examined.
"No one needs to worry. I know how to protect park land," he said, responding to concerns about park land in the city.
Background of the Bill
The proposal stems from the Karnataka Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, which was passed by both Houses of the Karnataka legislature last week amid opposition protests. The bill allows the state government to alienate up to five percent of the total area of parks and gardens through sale, lease, gift, exchange, mortgage or other means for public utility projects.
The amendment has drawn particular concern over Lalbagh, a historic botanical garden in Bengaluru, amid plans for a proposed 17-km Hebbal-Central Silk Board tunnel road. Shivakumar said the project would require around six acres of Lalbagh land temporarily and one acre permanently.
Opposition and Protests
The BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) have opposed the amendment and petitioned Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot against giving his assent to the legislation.
Two days before Shivakumar's announcement, citizens, resident welfare associations, walkers and political leaders gathered at Lalbagh for the "Walk in Lalbagh. Walk for Lalbagh" protest against the amendment. Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya joined the protest and symbolically hugged Lalbagh's famed Peninsular Gneiss formation, estimated to be around three billion years old.
"This is a three-billion-year-old rock. This is a protected geological monument. It is all of our duty to save this rock," Surya said.
Shivakumar said complete information would be obtained and reviewed regarding the steps taken by the previous BJP government concerning park land, including Lalbagh. He said an opportunity would be provided to discuss the issue again in the Assembly.
Drought and Other Issues
During his remarks, Shivakumar also addressed the drought situation in Karnataka. He said 102 taluks have already been declared drought-affected by Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, while the government was examining the situation in several more taluks.
He said reports were being collected from officials following a lack of adequate information on drought conditions in several districts, including Dharwad and Gadag, and that the final decision would be taken after an assessment in accordance with prescribed norms. Shivakumar said he would visit Bagalkot to assess the situation personally, and that the state would have to present its case before a Central government team visiting Karnataka to assess the drought.
"We will examine which taluk and which district is genuinely facing drought. There is no question of considering any area as my own constituency," he said.
Political Reactions
Reacting to the registration of an FIR against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shivakumar termed it a politically motivated action. "What wrong has Rahul Gandhi done? It is his right to fight for the youth and the country. It is a right guaranteed by the Constitution. We all stand with him on the issues for which he is fighting," he said.
Shivakumar also said the BJP's "Ballari Chalo" padayatra would provide an opportunity for Congress.