Bhatkal: Nineteen acres of land was approved to the government educational institutions at Shedkuli in Heble grama at Bhatkal taluk.
Approximately, 4 acres of land is allocated for Morarji Desai residential school and Rani Chenamma residential school simultaneously. 2 acres for Government PU college, 3 acres and 4 acres for degree college and playground respectively. Meanwhile, IT college was assigned 5 acres but only 2 acres have been approved so far. While this decision is the dream come true for the patrons of education but the locals have warned of staging protest against the government decision. The institutions are being constructed on the government land survey number 402 and 406.
Previously, it was decided that instutions would be constructed at Hadin but was cancelled because of the disapproval by the forest department. The then-deputy commissioner Ujwal Kumar Ghosh, came to know about the government land at Heble and the encroachment and land mafia prevailing there and after investigation, has obtained the required permission and assigned the land for the educational purposes.
On Wednesday, revenue department accompanied by police forces came for survey and marked the land at Heble. Coming to know of this, the local farmers expressed their displeasure. Speaking to the reporters, Subrayya Devadiga, alleged owner of one of the occupied land, complained: "The lands here are used by farmers but the officers have seized our lands and are constructing schools and colleges. 30 acres of lands have been already assigned at Hadin area for building colleges, this land comes under Coastal Regulatory Zones norms. "
"We don't have any other lands. It is injustice on part of us. The acquisition of the land which are being utilised by the farmer, is illegal," he said.
"When this dispute was brought in front of the Revenue minister Kagod Thimappa, he has instructed not to build schools here. But the Tahsil officials have started the survey works neglecting the orders, " he added.
Panchayat members, Chauda Timappa Moger and Parvathi Gonda also confirmed saying that the Heble grama panchayat has given its judgement in favour of the farmers. The restraining orders by Panchayat was also submitted to the Assistant Commissioner, they clarified.
Rama Heble, Jatappa Naik, Madhav Naik Heble and others were present dueing the occasion.
Tahsildar V N Badkar told Sahil Online that the government has approved the construction of government educational institutions on government land in Heble. Only the construction is pending, he said.