Social activists accuse Suzlon of illegally transferring 147 acres land to another firm

Social activists accuse Suzlon of illegally transferring 147 acres land to another firm

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Apr 21, 2016: The leaders of People’s Organisations have urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to immediately intervene and stop the alleged illegal transfer of 147.384 acres of land by M/s Aspen Infrastructure Ltd (SEZ) to a third party and to return all vacant lands as ‘Zameen Vapsi’ to the original owners of the lands before it was acquired for M/s Suzlon Infrastructure for the production of wind mill in Nadsal, Hejamady, Nandikoor and Palimaru villages of Udupi taluk.

 

Addressing the Press in the city on April 20, Wednesday,  Lolaksha, a well-known Social Activist and Working President of Suzlon R&R Colony Abhivruddhi Samithi said that, KIADB authorities have given 641.915 acres of land to M/s. Suzlon Infrastructure Limited for the Production of wind mill in those villages. "But the company has not even utilised 100 acres of land in the SEZ area till date as it was not at all required to the company for the purpose it was acquired. The Development Commissioner of SEZs officially disclosed that 282.79 acres of land is still kept vacant in the processing area of the SEZ," he stated.

"The KIADB and Revenue Department officials along with Suzlon Management played mischief and allotted the land to the Company much more than that of their actual requirement at a throw away price by acquiring the lands in these four villages under Karnataka Industrial Area Development Act, 1966 by betraying the interests of the poor people of the area," he alleged. "It’s a multi crore scandalous land deal involving high level officials and a business house," he alleged and demanded a CBI or COD investigation into this alleged transfer of property to M/s Suzlon.

"Contrary to the belief, hopes and desire of the people who sacrificed everything for the betterment of the State; M/s. Suzlon Infrastructure Limited (SEZ) and the authorities concerned have betrayed them in all respects and within two years, on 07.05.2009, it has transferred this acquired property in the name of M/s. Synefra Engineering & Construction Ltd. And again three years later, on 21.09.2012, these properties have been transferred in the name of M/s. Aspen Infrastructure Ltd. Now M/s aspen has initiated to sell 147 acres to the third party for a huge sum. All this has been done with the help of the Govt authorities," he further complained.

Lolaksha said that  the delegation of Suzlon R&R Colony Abhivruddhi Samithi met Rathna Prabha, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Industry and Commerce, Govt of Karnataka and submitted a memorandum in this regard. She assured the delegation that the Government won’t allow the company to sell the property to the third party and ordered for an enquiry. But so far the committee has not received any information in this regard from the officer, he said.

Lolaksha demanded the Congress Govt in the State to  immediately repeal Karnataka Industrial Area Development Act, 1966, which is a draconian law or incorporate pro-people provisions, which were part of UPA Act of 2013 into the KIAD Act.

Vidya Dinakar, a well-known social activist, urged the Government to  come out with a white paper on land allotments to various SEZs in the state and its utilisation.

Shekar hejmady, Mysore divisional Convenor of Dalit Sangharsha Samithi, Umanatha K R, President of Suzlon R&R Colony Abhivruddhi Samithi and Udaya Shetty, District President of Manava Hakku Parishat were present.