Minister for large and medium industries Murugesh Nirani on Thursday made it clear that there was no question of going back on the land bank programme for industries, despite stiff resistance from farmers and opposition parties.
Minister for large and medium industries Murugesh Nirani on Thursday made it clear that there was no question of going back on the land bank programme for industries, despite stiff resistance from farmers and opposition parties.
By way of clarification, the minister said that the government would not acquire fertile agricultural lands from farmers forcibly.
“Agriculture and industry are like our two eyes. Both are important for the development of the state. We will not acquire land without farmers’ consent. If the farmers oppose land acquisition, we will denotify already acquired lands,” Nirani said.
“Under the land bank programme, we have identified 1,21,304 acres. Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board has issued preliminary notification for acquisition of 57,016 acres, of which 10,237 acres are government land and 46,779 acres agricultural land. We have issued final notification for acquisition of 28,917 acres, of which 1,554 acres are government land and 27,363 agricultural,” he said.
About statements from the opposition that the state government is engaged in the real estate business, the minister said, “The opposition is trying to create confusion in the minds of farmers. We will not go against the will of farmers. In most of the land acquisition cases, farmers are willing to surrender land voluntarily. What they demand is a hike in the compensation owed to them,” Nirani said.
Citing examples of acquisition that were initially resisted, the minister said, “In Kudagi in Bijapur, 2,000 acres were acquired for the NTPC plant. Farmers agitated, but after the government raised the compensation amount, lands were voluntarily surrendered. In the Arcelor-Mittal case too, in the beginning, farmers opposed that move, but now the acquisition process is in the final stage.” Nirani said.
No hiccups for POSCO land
Denying reports of the resistance to the acquisition of land for the Posco steel plant in Mundaragi taluk of Gadag, Nirani said, “There are no hiccups there. The government is very firm on allowing the Posco steel plant to come up in Gadag district. It is a well-planned project.”
KIADB had issued a preliminary notification for acquiring 3,382 acres in three villages in and around Halligudi, Gadag district. 75% of the land meant to be notified is dry, as there are no irrigation facilities. The minister dismissed the protests of farmers as being ‘politically motivated’.
“Farmers are not reluctant to part with their land. They expect a good compensation from the government. Farmers will eventually get 25% more than the market rate. In addition, suitable jobs will be provided for family members of those who part with their lands,” Nirani said, adding that he himself would visit to persuade farmers.
Nothing irregular about aerospace park
Nirani clarified that there were no irregularities in the aerospace park project. “Near the Bangalore International Airport at Devanahalli, we have acquired 2,874 acres for the industrial estate. Of this, 977acres is for the aerospace city, 1,028 acres for IT park, 869 acres for a hardware park and 300 acres for townships. At the Global Investors’ Meet, 34 proposals came up. We have approved 22.
Reacting to observations made in the high court, the minister said that all information necessary would be provided to the court, and the project would be completed at the earliest possible.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}