Govt identifies 11,000 acres for acquisition in Tumkur

Farmers in the mine-ravaged district are in for more shock. The State government has planned to acquire more than 11,025 acres to create a land bank for industrial purposes.

The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has identified cultivable land for acquisition at Tumkur, Kunigal, Gubbi, Tiptur and Pavagad, Chikkanayakanhalli taluks.

According to sources, preliminary notification has already been issued and the acquisition process will gain steam in a few months.

Stung by stiff resistance by the farmers in Gadag and Mangalore, the Government seems to be a little cautious in acquiring land and has been going with the task surreptitiously.

Secrecy shrouds the process and the actual extent of land proposed to be acquired has not been disclosed.

The farmers have been kept in dark over the quantum of compensation or job opportunities in the industries expected to be set up. The officials have no clue on the number of proposed industries.

No survey

According to sources in KIADB, more land would be identified for acquisition to meet future needs. A large chunk of land - about 3,800 acres will be acquired in Sira taluk.

No survey has been conducted to assess the ecological imbalance and the possible impact on socio-economic life of people in the district in the event of acquisition.

General secretary of Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha, Bayyareddy alleged that farmers had not been heard before going ahead with acquisition.

District Industries Centre Joint Director Parameshwarappa told Deccan Herald that automobile ancillary units, fibre units, rice mills, granite industries are likely to be set up in Tumkur while investors have shown interest in setting up a food park in Sira, talcum powder units in Tiptur, groundnut oil, powerlooms and garment units in Pavagad.

District special land acquisition officer Basavaraju, however, denied that the acquisition was to build up a land bank.

“The acquisition is for industrial development. The process is in final stage in some areas and completed in respect of some others. The acquired land will be developed into an industrial estate before inviting proposals from the investors,” he said.

Meanwhile, JD(S) State vice-president K B Boregowda has alleged that farmers whose lands were acquired for the  Vasanthanarasapura industrial area had not been paid compensation even after six months of final notification.

He accused the KIADB special acquisition officer and audit branch officers of demanding bribe to pay compensation.

Highlights

* KIADB has identified cultivable land for acquisition at Tumkur, Kunigal, Gubbi, Tiptur and Pavagad, Chikkanayakanhalli taluks

* Preliminary notification has already been issued and the acquisition process will gain steam in a few months.