Heavy rush coupled with slow speed of computers at the taluk office to obtain land records, took a toll on the patience of thousands of farmers, who staged snap protests on Wednesday night and on Thursday morning on BM Road in Hassan.
Farmers demanded that the taluk office officials speed up issuance of the records despite the latter working round-the-clock to issue the land records.
The farmers for the past few days had perched themselves near the counters - day and night - to avail land records essential to avail various facilities under ‘Suvarna Bhoomi’ scheme such as crop insurance, subsidised seeds and pesticides. The last date for the scheme is June 30.
The officials, who were caught off guard by the protest, on Thursday, directed the banks to accept documents other than land records for Suvarna Bhoomi benefits.
Assistant Commissioner Jagadish told banks that they can accept M R book copy, or old Patta, or even a year-old copy of land records. “They have applied for fresh copy despite clearly stating they can enclose a year-old copy.
Starting from June 18, till date, we have issued nearly 9,509 land records. On Wednesday alone, we have given 2,500 copies. On the night of Wednesday, when we again opened the counter, we once again issued equal number of records,” Jagadish added.
Stating that they have sought additional counters to meet the surging demand for records, he said it would be done as soon as the government gives its nod.