The Congress on Friday said that it will soon launch an agitation against the proposed special economic zone (SEZ) in Nandagudi in Bangalore rural district.

“The coalition government is on a land acquisition spree to help land developers. Hundreds of farmers will lose their la-nds and  will be displaced. The party will not allow re-ckless acquisition of land for the proposed SEZ,” KPCC President M Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters.

He said that the party will chalk out an agitation programme, including protest rallies, to be staged in Bangalore Urban and Rural districts against the SEZ project. The legislature party meeting to be convened on July 3 or 4 will discuss this issue.

“The Cabinet recently gave its approval to set up a multi-product SEZ at Na-ndagudi, 50 km from Bangalore. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 15,000 crore and it requires around 12,350 acres land. But the local farmers are against the project and are refusing to give away their land”, he said.  He alleged that the government is acquiring in excess and the allotted land is being sold to developers. 

Kharge alleged that  the proposal to form a separate Yadgir district   has been deliberately shelved by the chief minister.

Patil’s charge

In Hubli, leader of Opposition in the Council H K Patil said the government has acquired agriculture land on a large scale in the last 14 months, than all the previous governments including the N  Dharam Singh’s government.
Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who held a meeting of farmers to find out reasons for farmers’ suicide, had acquired agriculture land in the name of industries and special economic zones, he charged.

Patil produced documentary evidence to prove his charges. He claimed the Kumaraswamy-led coalition government had so far acquired 27,932 acres of land to set up industries whereas total land acquired by governments between 2001 and 2006 was hardly 4,874 acres.

It had acquired 20,556 acres for the construction of single unit complexes in 2006-07. This was against 6,787 acres acquired in the last six years. Yet, the chief minister is accusing the Congress government of doing injustice to ryots, he said.

“The chief minister had stated he would resign if the Congress Party proved his government had acquired agriculture land.  Let the CM stick to his words and tender resignation.”

Patil said a private firm had sought 1,000 acres at Doddamannagudde in Bangalore Rural district to establish ‘Gandhi City’ in the SEZ.