From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Oct 13: With land acquisition for industries and infrastructure projects becoming a big problem, the State Government has prepared draft policy on land acquisition and proposes to release it for a public debate, especially among farmers’ associations and industrial bodies.

Karnataka’s Large and Medium Industry Minister Murugesh R Nirani said the new draft policy seeks to amend the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) Act, 1966, for smoothening the process of land acquisition and payment of compensation.

A Legislative Bill to amend the KIADB Act, 1966, would be introduced in the coming session of the State legislature after incorporating the suggestions or modifications thrown up by the public debate, the minister said.

The draft has been prepared based on the policy on the National Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill approved by the Union Cabinet last month.

The proposed law mooted by the Centre, the minister said, seeks to replace the 117-year-old Land Acquisition Bill, 1894 and for the first time integrates both land acquisition and R&R package. The Centre’s Bill allowed the States to frame their own laws.

It allows for flexibility to the State government on whether or not to intervene on behalf of private players for making land acquisition.

Nirani said the draft Bill, which envisages amendment to the KIADB act, would be discussed with industrial bodies such as FKCCI and KASSIA and farmers’ organisations before tabling it in the Legislature.

Efforts were being made to attract Rs 6 lakh crore investment during the next year’s global investors’ meet in Bangalore, he said.

The KIADB has identified 1.19 lakh hectares of land and of which preliminary notification has been issued for 86,000 hectares. A total of 12,000 hectares is ready for acquisition for setting up industries.

“Land will be given in 24 hours to industries and farmers are not opposing acquisition of lands,” he said.

As per the recommendations of the Sarojini Mahishi commission report, 85 per cent of jobs would be given to locals in new industries, Nirani said.

Centre urged to depute team to assess drought in 84 taluks

Karnataka Agriculture Minister Umesh V Katti, who addressed the media in Bangalore, has appealed to the Centre to despatch a team to assess the impact of drought in 84 taluks in the State.

Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda has already appealed to the Centre to despatch its team to study the impact of drought in 84 taluks where standing crops have been affected, he said.

The Centre releases funds to the State to take steps to mitigate drought based on the assessment made by the study team on damages to crops, availability of fodder, drinking water and other factors.

The state had received 766 mm of rainfall against the normal 804 mm from June 1 to September 30. Standing crops on thousands of acres have been damaged due to deficit rainfall, Katti said.

Fertilizers prices have increased following Centre’s decision to allow companies to fix prices. The companies have not supplied the required amount of fertilizers to the State. The State sought 23.35 lakh tonnes of fertilizers but companies supplied 19 lakh tonnes during the kharif season, he added.