Farmers of the villages in and around Devanahalli have again expressed concern  over the slow progress made into the decision on compensation packages for land losers to the four industrial parks and Special Economic Zones (SEZ) proposed in the region.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, members of the Raitha Horata Samithi pointed out that the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB)— entrusted with the acquisition of land for the projects — was yet to put down on paper the procedures under which the land-losers will be compensated.

“The BDA, BMRDA and KHB have finalised their prescribed compensation package formats. However, KIADB is yet to take the decision, though the chief minister and industries minister have given statements assuring a quick redressal to the farmers’ grievances,” D S Gowda, convenor of the Samithi, said. The land losers have demanded around 50 per cent of developed land per acre (around 13,500 sq ft for every acre) as compensation.

Not taken up
The Samithi members claimed that in spite of Industries Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu’s assurance that the government was ready to allocate 40 per cent of developed land per acre (around 11,000 sq ft for every acre) as compensation, the government was yet to take forward the assurance.

“The issue is not being taken up during the ongoing legislature session either. The government should either make a quick decision on the projects and compensation packages, or drop the projects altogether,” Gowda said.
Around 3,644 acres of land has been identified in 15 villages for the four townships/SEZs that include a 1,069-acre space dedicated to aerospace industrial production.