The State government is not in a position to hand over 4,050 acres of its land to Mumbai based SKIL infrastructure limited, which has proposed to set up a special economic zone in Nandagudi hobli, said a highly placed source in the Industries department.

According to the source, the government cannot hand over the land as there is no land which can be handed over for SEZ. “Only on paper, the government owns so much land in Nandagudi hobli. But no officer can show where it is. In reality, the land in the hobli, which has been converted into bagarhukum, has been cultivated by farmers for many years. Now it is difficult for the government to acquire the land from farmers”, the source added. The State cabinet has given its approval for setting up a SEZ in 12,350 acres of land in 36 villages of Nandagudi hobli.Of the 12,350 acres approved for the project 4,050 acres is the State government’s property.  The cabinet agreed to hand over the government land for the project despite opposition from Rural Development and Panchayat Raj department and others.