The Legislative Assembly passed the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority Bill, 2014 on Monday despite strong opposition from the BJP and JD(S).
It aims to prevent and remove encroachment of lake areas and its drainage system in Bengaluru and other municipal corporation limits.
Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar; JD(S) leaders H.D. Kumaraswamy and Y.S.V. Datta; S. Suresh Kumar, C.T. Ravi, Govind Karjol and Vishveswara Hegde Kageri of the BJP; raised objections to the definition of “lake” and other provisions in the Bill.
“What will happen to those housing layouts developed on tank beds by the BDA and private developers in Bengaluru,” Mr. Kumaraswamy asked.
Minister for Forests B. Ramanath Rai said the Bill provides for exercising regulatory control over all the lakes within the jurisdiction of all municipal corporations and the Bangalore Development Authority. It aims at creating habitat of wetland for aquatic biodiversity, water birds and aquatic plants, and controlling pollution of lakes. Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs T.B. Jayachandra said the interest of the common people would be safeguarded while framing rules to the Act.
Penalties
Persons found discharging untreated sewage into the lake and dumping construction debris will be punished with three years imprisonment, and could be extended to five years with a fine of not less than Rs. 10,000. If a government servant fails to report unlawful occupation of a lake, then the official would be punished with imprisonment for one year and fine of Rs. 10,000.
Persons found discharging untreated sewage into the lake and dumping construction debris will get three years imprisonment
