The Hindu : Karnataka News : Mandya farmers back BMIC

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Friday, Jun 27, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Mandya farmers back BMIC

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: A group of farmers from Mandya district and members of two self-help groups in Srirangapatna, led by T. Rajendra Kumar, member, Maddur Taluk Panchayat, on Thursday presented a memorandum to Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa demanding the Government to implement the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project.

Speaking to presspersons, Mr. Kumar and S. Sachidananda, a farmer from Srirangapatna, said that the project would help farmers, who had lands on both sides of the BMIC highway by way of appreciation in their value.

Moreover, the entire stretch would see a lot of economic development.

They said that the farmers were not getting remunerative prices for their produce, including sugarcane, and were forced to burn the crop. They were not getting workers for agricultural operations, as most of them were migrating to the nearby cities, where they got more wages.

Asked why they were supporting Ashok Kheny, managing director of NICE, and selling their lands for a throwaway price, the farmers said that some vested interests had created such an impression. Mr. Kumar said that the farmers were getting a good price and they were purchasing lands, some distance away, at cheaper rate.

He said that Mr. Kheny had also taken up social service such as providing cattle, tailoring machines, free notebooks and holding health camps in the project area.

He had built houses for some 40 families at Somapura village.

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