JOIN USImpasse over land for Bellary airport
As soon as the House met, the Congress and JD (S) members continued their dharna in the well of House alleging that the land is being acquired against the wish of farmers. They said that if the government wants to go ahead with the land acquisition, it should form a House Committee to interact with land-holders to know their opinion.
Infrastructure Minister Janardhan Reddy has been arguing that farmers are willingly parting with their land. There is not a single farmer who is against the project, he had claimed. The minister had also made a remark against K C Kondaiah, Congress member from Bellary which was expunged from the records.
When the government did not respond positively to the demand, Chairman Mathikatti adjourned the House to facilitate a meeting between the Opposition and Treasury benchers. The chairman, as part of his formula to resolve the issue, had asked Reddy to express his regret over his verbal attack against Kondaiah.
Reddy reluctantly expressed his regret after CM Yeddyurappa’s intervention. Reddy maintained that he had no personal interest in having the airport. “I have an helicopter to travel both in day and night. Bellary is developing at a very fast pace and an airport is essential,” he said.
The Chairman, to end the deadlock, said officers would explain to the leaders of Opposition the process adopted to acquire land and the compensation provided. If the Opposition is still not satisfied, then the matter could be further discussed.
But the Opposition did not budge from its stand. The government too was not ready to form a House panel to collect the opinion of farmers. The Opposition was not satisfied with the Chairman’s suggestion too. Eventually, they staged a walkout of the House forcing the Chairman to adjourn the House for the day.