Karnataka   

Farmers oppose proposal to set up industrial area near Bagepalli

CHICKBALLAPUR: The State Government’s move to set up an industrial area near Bagepalli in Chickaballapur district is facing stiff resistance from farmers.

If the developments on Wednesday in connection with the project are any indication, the Government may be forced to have a re-look on the project and shift the proposed site.

An advisory committee meeting on the issue convened by Deputy Commissioner K. Subodh Yadav to discuss the price of the land to be acquired for the project witnessed stormy scenes with farmers vehemently opposing the Government move. Some people, including women, who reportedly came with poison bottles, threatened to commit suicide if the authorities did not stop the land acquisition process.

The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) issued a notification in 2006 with regard to acquisition of 192 acres of land at Kondareddypalli and Kasba hobli of Bagepalli taluk, then part of undivided Kolar district. The Chickballapur district administration took the initiative in price fixation process which was said to be inconclusive. Scores of farmers and other people present at the meeting expressed reservations against acquiring agricultural land for setting up of industrial area. The government is divesting the farmers of cultivable land in the name of development, they alleged. Only the land of poor farmers was being acquired while land holdings of rich people went untouched, they lamented.

The fact that the proposed site is only a kilometre away from Bagepalli town led to people’s anger. Educational institutions such as Government Polytechnic, ITI and a B.Ed. College are also in the vicinity of the site. All these render the site unfit to establish an industrial area, it was argued.

The farmers have suggested the Government to take up the project on 120 acres of Gomal land near Narepalli village.

Sensing some lapses in deciding on the site for the proposed project, the Deputy Commissioner has resolved to make an on-the-spot inspection. “After the inspection I will submit a detailed report to the Government,” Mr. Yadav told The Hindu on Thursday. “Since the question of proposed project’s proximity to the town holds good, a re-look into the matter may arise,” he said.

The Deputy Commissioner has appealed the people to refrain from taking any extreme step as the administration was ready to consider the matter sympathetically.

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