HASSAN: Farmers of Piramenahalli and Kokkanaghatta villages on the outskirts of Hassan city have objected to the steps taken by the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) to acquire 35.2 acres of land, for expansion of a textile unit that is coming up on 120 acres of land, allocated for product-specific Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

`Only source of income'

Participating in a meeting convened by the Deputy Commissioner on Saturday for fixing the land value, over 100 farmers representing both the villages stated that they were not prepared to surrender their fertile land as it was the only source of their income.

According to sources in the district administration, KIADB had already issued notification for land acquisition in two phases and the process of acquisition was in its final stage. The board was even prepared to pay Rs. 3.93 lakh an acre, sources added.

Sources said the land value in the area had increased because of industrial development in the area and the ring road, which was coming up on the outskirts of the city.

Sources in District Industries Centre said after disbanding of the quota system for textile exports with effect from January 1, 2005, the single-window agency of Department of Industries and Commerce had cleared a proposal by Himatsingka Seide for the manufacture of 16.20 million metres of bed linen and 3.05 million sets of fabrics at Hassan.

According to company sources, the aim of setting up of the unit is to export bed linen set and fabrics to European countries. The power requirement of the unit would be 5852 KVA and water requirement around 25 lakh litres. This export-oriented industry would provide employment to over 1,000 persons.

Sources said that while the work on construction of the unit was fast progressing in Kokkanaghatta and Pirmenahalli areas, the company sought another 35.20 acres of land for expansion.

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