Assistant Commissioner, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Ashok on Thursday promised compensation four times more than the prevailing market rate to farmers in Mysore district on the lines of Mangalore.

Participating in a meeting organised at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, to discuss the compensation to be distributed for the farmers, for the lands being acquired by the Corporation towards the laying of gas pipeline on Mangalore, Hassan, Mysore and Solur route, Ashok said measures would be initiated to grant relief to farmers like in Mangalore.

Exgratia would be provided up to 10 per cent of the market rate,Ashok said, the process was underway to acquire 127 acres of land comprising 23 villages in K R Nagar taluk in the district. 

In the case of crop loss due to acquirement, the Corporation had fixed compensation of Rs 2,000 per quintal of watermelon, Rs 1,612 for tobacco, Rs 4,928 for ginger, and Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per coconut tree.

Earlier K R Nagar MLA Sa Ra Mahesh alleged that it was unfair on the part of the Corporation to launch acquisition process without providing relief to farmers.

He demanded the authorities concerned to fix the compensation on the lines of Mangalore and distribute the same only after confirming the rightful owner of the land through right to tenancy certificate (RTC) or family tree.

Mahesh also demanded exgratia up to 20 per cent of the market rate.

Representatives of 23 villages, where the pipeline will be laid, also took part in the meeting.