Farmers refuse to part with land for thermal plant

 The State government has increased the price of an acre of land from Rs 2.75 lakh to Rs three lakh. However, the farmers are demanding a minimum of Rs 20 to Rs 25 lakh per acre of land. Deputy Commissioner R Shantaraj announced Rs three lakh per acre for irrigated land and Rs 2.75 lakh per acre for dry land on Friday. Angry farmers who stated that the price was unscientific boycotted the meeting.

The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) has been entrusted with the task of acquiring the land for the construction of the thermal power plant. The final notification has been issued to acquire about 1,923 acres from 820 farmers in Kudagi, Masooti, Telagi and Golasangi villages. Primary notification has also been issued to acquire the remaining 1,100 acres of land.

Dr Y K Hugar, a farmers’ leader of Masooti said: “Each acre of land should be given Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. Telagi, Golasangi, Kudagi and Masooti villages should be shifted considering the environmental pollution that will be caused within ten km of the plant.”