In the same, opposing the construction
of Library in People's Park, Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) wants to
continue its campaign and to file PIL again for the second time to
save People's Park situated in heart of the city.
College and school students are invited
to give suggestion about the park on June 24 between 10 am and 12 pm
and each school can symbolically plant a tree.
The assembled students can discuss the
topics like how MCC has violated Karnataka parks act in the case of
Peopleʼs Park, need for saving lung space, the importance of good
governance, the role of common man in a democracy etc.
MGP Convenor Bhamy V Shenoy said that
this type of modified Gandhian approach of putting indirect pressure
on the authority may result to elected representatives drop the idea
of the library as they did few years back.
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Know how the save Peopleʼs Park
campaign began
In the mid of 90s, Mysore Grahakara
Parishat (MGP) read a report in a paper stating Forest Officer has
refused to give permission to cut trees at People's Park in order to
construct library.
One fine day, MGP Convenor Bhamy V
Shenoy got the call from the officer stating Divisional Commissioner
might give permission to construct library and politicians are also
involved in it.
In the same MGO invited people Court
and took up the project of saving People's Park and filed PIL in 2000
and stopped the construction.
Later, there was plans to convert the
same park into a private bus stand, but widespread public protests it
was stopped.
But, now again foundation stone has
been laid to construct a library in the People's Park. MGP members
have contacted Mysore City Corporation (MCC) Commissioner KS Raikar
and have confirmed that the Department of Library is planning to
construct a Library.
Bhamy V Shenoy said that 'when I
questioned about how they could go against Karnataka Parks, Play
Fields and Open Spaces Act of 1985, Raikar argued stating that the
Act allows to make use of 5% of the land. I told him that such a
provision is there in the Act only for the use of the park to store
its equipments and not for any other purpose. '
'Then he suggested that I should
contact the Department of Library as though MCC has no interest or
jurisdiction. I was surprised and saddened by his indifference.'
Later, MGP staged protest accompanied
with environmentalist and Mysore Youth Forum on May 27. By the time
MGP members reach the place a sing board was erected stating 300x400
acres of land will be used for construction of library and a compound
was constructed and there was a tough-of-war between MGP and
Corporation officials on the day.
A Contempt of Case was filled against
Bhamy Shenoy and Retd Maj Gen Karumabaiah during this period. The
proposed cost of the building in Peoples Park is expected to cost
nearly Rs. 2.5 crores.
How the encroachment of park began
MGP Member Chandra Prakash who is a
regular walker in the People Park since 1950's say that the park was
Parallel to Government House and was filled with Greens.
According to him the first encroachment
of the People' Park was by government college and School. Later, as
days passed away temple was erected, and there is Darga towards City
bus stand side and the place was provided for tennis court. The
garbage are being dumped in the park at present.
'The government itself violating the
rules by breaking the law. Library is important but not to be placed
at the park. Slowly the park will be completely encroached,' he
added.
Mysore's lung space is disappearing at
rapid rate. Unless we the residents take active interest, Mysore will
be ruined the way Bangalore is.
- Bhamy V Shenoy, MGP Convenor
Libraries are required to be located at
serene places and not in noisy Central Business Districts. This
construction money can be spent to improve the existing ill-kempt
libraries and to set up more libraries in extensions where they do
not exist.
- Vasanthkumar Mysoremath, Social
Activist & Environmentalist.
----------------------------
Construction of library in the lines of
Cubbon Park, Works to be completed by 2014
Library Department Deputy Director
Manjunath said that construction of library will began in 15 days and
fencing works will be completed within a period of week and the soil
testing is over. The estimate cost of library is 4.08 crores.
The library will be inaugurated in
2014, to mark the centenary celebrations of City Central Library
situated on Sayyaji Rao Road, he added.
'Park and library will be developed in
the lines of Bangalore Cubbon Park. The Department has not collected
Rs 8 crore of cess amount which has been collected by Corporation.
The same amount will be used to develop the park.'
'As per the government order, decision
has been taken to construct the library in the vacant place and not a
single tree will be cut to construct the library. The library
building will be constructed in the lines of heritage building in the
340x400 areas,' he said.
Karantaka Rural Infrastructure
Development Limited (KRIDL) will execute the construction works.
Plans have been made to construct walking path, garden and provide
good environment for citizens, he added.
Plans of Library
In 1980's during the time of Vishwa
Kannada Sahitya Sammelana the decision was taken to construct the
library and even PWD called the tender. Later, due to shortage in
funds in 1990 plans were made to construct the library along with
public private partnership, where library in 50 per cent and other 50
per cent for construction of complex. Some Nilgiri tress were cut and
a strong protest was staged and the proposal was dropped.
Now, after a period of decade, plans
have been made to construct only library dropping the plan of
construction of commercial complexes.
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No meaning in protest
DD Manjunath said that there is no
meaning in opposing the construction works and the Writ Petition
filed by MGP members was dismissed by court after two years.
'If library constructed amidst parks,
it provides lovely atmosphere for readers and there will be no
disturbance. Earlier plans were made to construct commercial complex
and I welcome the oppose. But why now, when only library is being
constructed,' he questioned.
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