V R Sudarshan, MLC, who submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar Meena on Monday, said the KIADB should leave no room for controversy in the process of acquiring the land.
He said the KIADB had offered to pay Rs 40 lakh while the farmers, who had earlier sought Rs 60 lakh-Rs 70 lakh per acre, are now demanding a minimum of Rs 50 lakh. “The Government should fix a rate, a minimum of Rs 50 lakh, that would be agreeable for both sides,” he added.
Sudarshan justified the farmers’ demand, stating that price of land in Vemagal is expected to skyrocket in the future, due to its proximity to the road connecting to the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) and which may also become a national highway.
Speaking at a meeting at the office of the deputy commissioner, he said he had submitted a memorandum to Sham Bhat, the KIADB executive officer, who had responded affirmatively. He has urged the government to give suitable compensation to the farmers who would part with their land for the Vemgal Industrial Area, to be developed on the lines of the Narasapura Industrial Area.
He suggested the deputy commissioner to follow rules and regulations pertaining to the land acquisition process, as was done two years ago in Narasapura.
Gram Panchayat former president Narayanaswamy, farmers Venkatasubbaiah, Kuragal Ramesh, Singehalli Murthy, Vemagal Rajashekhar, Anjinappa, Jaffer and others said they would utilise the compensation to buy land elsewhere and continue agriculture.
Meena promised to bring their demand to the notice of the government.
Shivakumar, Khalil, Venkatesh, Basavarajappa, Manjunath, V S Narayanaswamy, Venkateshappa, Eshwarappa and other farmers’ representatives from Vemagal, Kurgal, Harjenahalli, Singehalli and Malayappanahalli took part in the meeting.