Fulfill farmers' demands: Sudarshan

Taluk farmers gave up land voluntarily, set model in State, says MLC

Speaking at a meeting of farmers from Vemagal, Kuragal, Singehalli, Harjenahalli and Maliappanahalli, who would be losing their land, outside his house in Vemagal in Kolar taluk on Saturday, Sudarshan added that farmers’ demands in lieu of their land should also be fulfilled.

As much as 666 acres of agricultural land near Vemagal is being acquired to set up industries.

The Deputy Commissioner has called a meeting on November 26 in relation to the land occupation process. “Setting up a model for the entire State, farmers have been convinced to give up their land to set up industries without legal hassle. Unanimous decisions were taken in Vemagal and Kuragal Gram Panchayats on February 8, 2010, to hand over the land. In barely a week, on February 15, I had written to the government, along with a map of the area, that industries could be set up on 1,000 acres of land. A proposal in the Council too had been approved.

This was also notified in the State Gazetteer published on July 6, 2010, after the initial process was completed, Sudarshan said. “The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) organised a farmers’ meeting in the travellers’ bungalow in Vemagal. The farmers had demanded a worth rate of Rs 60 to 70 lakh per acre of land; greater employment opportunities to local residents with priority to local industrialists and forgoing of registration fees to farmers who bought land elsewhere,” he reminded.

The government notification was published on September 9, 2011, under 28/4. But, the KIADB and the Revenue Department had conducted a joint survey of the land here. The Pollution Control Board too had given a green signal. It had instructed, before giving a certificate, that two water tanks should remained untouched and the natural environment of the villages near the industrial area should not be harmed, Sudarshan informed.

There is a request to supply treated water from Bellangur tank near Varthur for the Narasapura and Vemagal industries. Water from other tanks in the area can be used for consumption, the MLC added.

It was also decided during the meeting to send memoranda to the Chief Minister, Industry Minister and KIADB commissioner requesting them to fix a separate price for land having borewells and coconut trees.

Taluk Panchayat former president Udayshankar, Vemagal Gram Panchayat former president Narayanaswamy, B Nagaraj, Kuragal Gram Panchayat former president Babu and leaders of farmers from five villages in the industrial area, Chikkanna, Doddapapanna, Singahalli Murthy, Venkatasubbaiah, Dalavayappa, Kuragal Ramesh and Shivappa were present at the meeting.­