Govt accused of grabbing land from farmers
Staging a protest, they alleged that nearly 1.2 lakh acre of fertile land has been forcefully acquired by the government, which is out to grab the farmers’ lands in the guise of creating a land bank.
Land has been encroached even in Kolar and Chikkaballapur district, alleged Legislator K P Bache Gowda. Housing Development Corporation has been purchasing land through middlemen for over Rs 50 lakh in the district. But the farmers are paid only Rs 2-3 lakh. BJP legislators are also involved in this land mafia he alleged. JD(S) District Unit president Rajanna said former prime minister H D Deve Gowda has plunged into protest for the farmers cause.
Karnataka Milk Union Director K V Nagaraj accused the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa of lending support to the ‘business’ of selling lands purchased from farmers at lower price to private parties at a higher price. He alleged that the business is being carried out by middlemen appointed by none other than the Chief Minister himself.
Rules not followed
Mandatory provisions have been thrown to winds while acquiring lands from farmers. Land Reforms Act and other legislations have not been followed. Information on nature of investment, the proposed employment generation, the necessary infrastructure and adverse effects on environment should be furnished to public and farmers before acquiring the land. However, none of these regulations have been complied with, alleged former minister K M Krishna Reddy.
Zilla Panchayat Member G R Narayanaswamy, Government has acquired nearly 681 acres of horticulture land from farmers in Bagepalli and Chintamani taluks, but has failed to give proper compensation, he alleged. Former minister K M Muniyappa said the small and marginal farmers are rendered landless as government has acquired their land.
The protesters shouted slogans against State government and took out a protest march to Deputy commissioners’ office. A memorandum was submitted to Additional Deputy Commissioner G S Nayak.
Former legislator Jyoti Reddy demanded the government to hand over the land back to the farmers and withdraw the notification failing which the government will have to face the farmers wrath, he warned.
Zilla Panchayat member Jagannath, JD(S) leaders K T Narayanaswamy, Taluk Panchayat member K R Reddy, CPI(M) leader S Lakshmaiah, Bharatidevi, P Srinivas and others led the protest.