Govt to clear ultra mega power project after public hearing

The 4,000 megawatt super thermal power project proposed by the Centre at Tadri in Uttara Kannada district will be cleared by the Karnataka government only after holding a public hearing.

The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday discussed extensively the Centre's proposal.

"The project has evoked widespread protest from all quarters. Elected representatives, local people and environmentalists are opposing the project for various reasons. Uttara Kannada district is an ecologically-sensitive area. A final decision on implementing the project will be taken only after conducting a public hearing and after consultations with experts," Karnataka primary and secondary education minister Basavaraja Horatti told reporters after the meeting.

The Centre has sought 3,000 acres for the project. "The state government already has 1,800 acres in its possession. Another 1,200 acres of land has to be acquired. But the acquisition will be possible only if the local people favour the project. The mood in Dakshina Kannada district is against the project," he stated.

Apart from holding public hearings and consultations with experts, the government will conduct a feasibility study on its own.

"These processes might take a few months. Later, the proposal will be placed before the Cabinet for another round of discussion," the minister said.

The Cabinet meeting also approved raising the age limit for recruitment to the posts of high school teachers: general merit ? from 33 years to 40 years; backward classes "" from 36 years to 43 years and SCs o STs "" from 38 years to 40 years, the minister said.