Forest Department creating hurdles in implementing KUSUM-C scheme for farmers, Poojary complains to Shivakumar

Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Member of Parliament Kota Srinivas Poojary submitted a written complaint to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar that the Forest Department was not clearing acacia trees to implement Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) Component - C at three places in Udupi district during the latter’s visit to Uchhila Mahalakshmi Temple in Udupi district on Thursday.

Mr. Poojary told the Chief Minister that under the scheme, 13 acres of land in Kirimanjeshwar of Byndoor taluk, 7.5 acres in Kavadi of Brahmavara taluk and 10 acres in Belle village of Kapu taluk were identified for constructing solar power plants. However, because of the delay on the part of the Forest Department in clearing acacia trees standing on these lands, the project valued at ₹22 crore has seen a set back.

This has created a situation where farmers were unable to get the benefits of the project on time. Also, the Central government grant (30%) was about to be withdrawn. Mr. Poojary said he along with Kundapur MLA A. Kiran Kumar Kodgi met the Chief Secretary and discussed the matter. Shalini Rajneesh had personally directed the forest officials to resolve the issue. In addition, he had held more than five meetings with the Udupi Deputy Commissioner and Forest Department officials. Despite the Deputy Commissioner giving directions to the Forest Department, no action was taken so far.

Mr. Poojary also noted that he had asked Mr. Shivakumar on September 19 at Hebri during the Kasturirangan Committee report hearing to follow the examples elsewhere social forestry lands were cleared for government projects to facilitate implementation of KUSUM-C scheme in Udupi district too.

Expressing concern over the constant refusal of the Forest Department to facilitate implementation of the project despite directions from the top, Mr. Poojary urged the Chief Minister to seriously look into the issue and give necessary directions to the concerned. Administrative delay should not defeat the ₹22 crore project that benefits farmers, he said.