BANGALORE: Farmers whose lands are acquired by the Government for industrial requirements have reasons to cheer. For, the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has come out with a plan to offer them 8,000 sq ft of developed land for every acre that they lose.

The KIADB — the nodal land acquisition agency in the State — approved the proposal on Wednesday. It now awaits the State Government's nod. The decision to offer land to the farmers comes in the wake of widespread protests by them against inadequate compensation for land being acquired in different parts of the State.

Sources in KIADB told The Hindu that the farmers could choose between cash compensation or 8,000 sq ft of developed land. The proposal was applicable to those farmers who would lose a minimum of 10 guntas or one fourth of an acre.

Such a scheme would benefit farmers as they could retain a part of their land or sell it at the prevailing market price once development of the land was complete, they said.

Further, the farmer would be allowed to utilise the part of the land he got in the manner he wanted to, but according to the regulations put in place.

No conditions

"Land losers can choose to convert their land either for industrial or residential purposes, as the KIADB will not put any conditions on land use," the sources said.

In the case of farmers with less than 10 guntas of land, cash compensation would be fixed by an advisory committee set up under the Deputy Commissioner, and this would be based on the guidance value of the area, they pointed out.

According to the sources, if farmers lose less than 10 guntas they can form a group to ensure it crosses one acre, which will make them eligible for 8,000 sq ft of developed land.

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