Bangalore: No Forcible Land Acquisition for Posco, says Minister
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jul 13: Though the State Government has issued a preliminary notification for acquisition of 3382 acres of farmland at Halligudi village in Gadag district for the Rs 32,336 crore steel plant by global steel giant Posco, Women and Child Welfare Minister C C Patil, who is the Gadag district in-charge minister, has made it clear that the B S Yeddyurappa did not believe in forcible acquisition of land.
''We are trying our best to reach a consensual agreement to convince the farmers by conceding their demand for a just and fair compensation,” he said pointing out that the farmers have been demanding compensation at the rate of Rs 25 lakh per acre.
Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha leaders including former MLA K S Puttannayya
holding talks with Agriculture Minister S A Ravindranath
The Minister said the Government was still busy in holding negotiations with the farmers and was yet to decide the rate of compensation.
“Withdrawal of the project by the Posco will be a big setback for the development of the Gadag district and for the State in achieving its objective of rapid industrialisation,” he said. The project is expected to create around 2,000 jobs.
Out of 9073 acres of village land, 8269.18 acres is cultivable land, he said adding that the Government has taken steps for acquiring 3382 acres of land for the steel firm. ''No farmer would be forced to hand over the land,’’ he said.
Patil said no irrigated lands would be acquired for the project. No lands come under the command area of Singatalur Lift Irrigation scheme (the ungated concrete barrage is still under implementation) would be acquired.
Of the 536 farmers, whose lands would be acquired, 375 farmers have reached a conditional agreement demanding Rs. 20 to 25 lakh per acre.
They have also demanded waiver of registration and other fees for giving up their land and to buy alternative lands or properties, besides jobs for their dependants in the steel plant.
Patil said he brief the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurppa on the ground situation and demands of the farmers. Every effort would be made to enable the company to invest on the project in the district, he said.
Allaying fears about the setting up of a thermal power plant by Posco and its ecological damage to Kappadagudda reserve forest, the minister said Sri Siddhalinga Swamy of Tontadarya Math would be apprised of the project details.
The steel giant would not set up the thermal power project, he said.
Stating real estate agents would not be allowed to grab compensation to be paid to farmers, he said steps would be taken to pay 100 per cent compensation to farmers.
The Government was ready to hold a meeting at the Tontadarya Math premises if the seer grants permission.
Officials of KIADB, Forest and Industries departments would be invited for the meeting to solve all problems amicably, Patil said.
The farmers’ organisations, the Congress and the JD(S) have also been opposing the acquisition of lands for the steel mill.
Majority of farmers deny giving up land:
Hubli: A majority of the farmers of Mundargi taluk in Gadag district have denied giving up their land to Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) for the proposed Posco steel plant in Gadag district.
At an objection hearing which concluded here on Tuesday, 126 farmers expressed their dissent on parting with their land.Special Land Acquisition Officer Incharge (SLAO) Shivanand Kapase found majority of the farmers have denied giving up their lands.
The KIADB had issued a second notice to 536 farmers, of whom 262 farmers filed an objection to the acquisition.