Devanahalli land acquisition: Final call by CM Siddaramaiah, says M B Patil

Bengaluru: Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil said on Sunday that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would take the ultimate call on the acquisition of land in Devanahalli taluk on July 15.

“Some farmers are against acquisition, while some others are in favour of giving up 449 acres of land and are asking Rs 3.5 crore per acre. There are differences between farmers themselves. The government is studying the matter and we will try to ensure that the interests of both industries and agriculture go hand in hand,” Patil told reporters.

The minister’s comments come a day after a section of the farmers met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and told him that they were ready for giving up 449 acres of land, provided Rs 3.5 crore was given per acre. 

“Yesterday, some farmers met the chief minister and said that they would give 449 acres of land to the government. The first notification related to this project was for this many acres itself. The government will only consider the voice of genuine farmers and not those who are speaking many things in the name of farmers”.

‘Instigating protests’

Claiming that he knew about how many acres of land different builders had bought near Devanahalli and who were “instigating” the protests, Patil said, “There has also been a demand on saving agriculture in the lands near Devanahalli. So, the government is deliberating on forming a permanent farmers’ zone. Some are now criticising that. This sort of duality is not correct”.

Reacting to the letter by intellectuals, writers and activists to the Congress high command against acquiring farmers’ land, the minister said, “We won’t criticise that. In a democracy, everyone has a right to protest. We are exploring all possibilities and will take legal advice too”.

In 2022, the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government had issued a notification to acquire 1,777 acres of land belonging to farmers in 13 villages of Channarayapatna hobli in Devanahalli taluk.

Farmers have been protesting against it for three years now. The Congress had supported the protests while in Opposition, but failed to withdraw the notification after assuming power. Though the current government offered to withdraw the acquisition of 495 acres of land, protests have continued.