From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Belagavi, Dec 26: The issue of farmers displaced by the Karanja irrigation project, who have been staging a dharna in Bidar district since 180 days demanding fair compensation, figured prominently in the Belagavi session of the State Assembly on Monday with JD(S) Deputy leader Bandeppa Kashempur urging the State Government to take immediate steps to meet the just demands of farmers.

The JD(S) leader said the Bommai government has been insensitive to the plight of farmers displaced by Karanja project, which was taken up in 1964.
Farmers of as many as 28 villages have been suffering, he said.

While some of the farmers, who had approached the courts have managed to get partial compensation, the other farmers have been left high and dry by successive governments, he said.

Kashempur pointed out that he has raised the issue in the assembly on two occasions and received assurances but no action had been taken so far.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy, who is also the minor
irrigation minister, promised to take up the issue with Water Resources Minister Govind Karjol and try to find a solution soon.

Kashempur also urged the government to take immediate steps for developing
Chitaguppa in Bidar district, which was declared as a taluk headquarters, where no developmental works have taken place so far.