Additional Chief Secretary warns that the culprits will be severely punished.
More than 16,000 acres in Kodagu have been encroached, said V. Balasubramaniaum, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government and Chairman of the Encroachment Review Task Force on Government lands.
After taking part in the review meet of the Forest and Revenue officials, Balasubramaniaum told the press on Wednesday that in Somwarpet 2,500 acres have been encroached, in Virajpet it’s 12,000 acres and in Madikeri taluk it’s 2,200 acres. He said that clear instructions have been given to the district administration and the Forest Department to take stern action to clear the encroachments covering more than 10 acres and a report should be submitted to the task force accordingly.
Bogus documents created to sell or lease Government lands will be punishable with three years imprisonment, he added.