Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 27: A long-pending demand of the people from Jokatte was addressed when Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) agreed to rehabilitate people of Jokatte and transform 27 acres of Jokatte into green belt. The people here had been complaining of suffering the ill-affects of the company's third phase coke and sulphur units.

The government had asked MRPL over a year ago to create green belt as part of the conditions. There was popular demand for creating this green belt in Jokatte area. For this to happen, the company was asked to relocate the people of Jokatte, who are currently suffering from the waste produce of the company. Managing director of the company, H Kumar, in a meeting presided over by district in-charge minister, B Ramanath Rai on Thursday January 26 at the office of the deputy commissioner of the district, agreed to this proposal.

File Photo

The meeting also gave its nod to the report and map prepared by the technical committee of which locals were also members. The company has agreed to provide a compensation package as per rules to the displaced citizens.

President of Jokatte Nagarika Horata Samiti, Hussain, Muneer Katipalla and others, in their addresses, said that it will benefit the people only if the greenbelt is created at Jokatte. MRPL managing director, H Kumar, said that the current 27 acres would be part of 33 percent area of the company which has to be covered by green belt. He noted that currently, there is permission for 27 acres, and if additional land has to be converted, government order would have to be issued afresh.

Deputy commissioner, K G Jagadeesh, MLA, Mohiuddin Bava, additional deputy commissioner, Kumar, and others were present.