Officials, farmers deny Tata claim on land acquisition

Process still in its nascent stages; price yet to be fixed

Tata Steel may have claimed that the land acquisition process for its integrated steel plant at Agadi in the taluk had been completed.

But the land acquisition officers and farmers beg to differ. While the officers say that the process is in its nascent stages, some farmers say it has not even started. 

Tata Steel (Corporate Services) Vice-President Partha Sengupta had, a few days ago, stated that the land acquisition had been completed.

The company has entered into an agreement with the State government to establish a Rs 1,500-crore steel plant. The government has agreed to give 2,500 acres of land in Agadi, Machapura and Boodagatti villages of the taluk.

While the farmers whose land is set to be acquired said the prices were yet to be fixed, farmers opposed to the acquisition said the process has not moved beyond the stage of receiving objections. 

Deposit not paidBefore acquiring the land, the company should deposit the amount fixed based on the land value, with the district administration.

However, Tata Steel has so far deposited only 40 per cent of the amount. Notification has been issued as per Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act seeking objections. Except the incomplete joint survey, none of the processes has been initiated.

The land acquisition process can be said to be complete only when the remaining deposit is paid and the price of land is fixed after due consultation with the farmers, as per Section 6(1) of the Act, said Sampangi, Special Land Acquisition Officer from Dharwad.

In addition to this, farmers of Agadi are vehemently opposing the acquisition process, saying the land planned to be acquired is fertile.  
                 Keeping the farmers’ protests in mind, district incharge Minister C M Udasi has clarified that land would not be acquired amidst stiff opposition from farmers. Efforts are also on to convince the farmers to part with their land for the project, he said.