Karnataka - Mysore   

Uniform rates demanded for land acquired

— Photo: M.A. Sriram

Making a statement: Activists of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Hasiru Sene and Bhoomitayi Horata Samiti staging a protest against the ‘anti-farmer’ policies of the BJP Government in Mysore on Monday.

Mysore: Scores of farmers staged a protest in Mysore on Monday against the alleged discrimination in awarding compensation to farmers whose land was acquired for modernisation and upgrading of the Mysore airport.

The farmers of Marase and Mandakalli said that although their lands were acquired in 2005-06 and the prevailing market rate was around Rs. 50 lakh an acre, the Government approved only Rs. 6.5 lakh an acre in the form of compensation in the first phase and around Rs. 7 lakh an acre for land acquired in the second phase. But what is intriguing is that in the third phase of land acquisition, the Government has promised Rs. 50 lakh an acre in addition to a site in Mysore and a job for at least one member of the affected family. The protesting farmers said that discrimination in fixing the rates for acquired land has affected them. They demanded the Government to follow a uniform compensation norm and benefits extended to farmers.

The agitating farmers said compensation given by the authorities was inadequate and it is so meagre that it would be spent within a few years and risked landing on the streets with no job. “A majority of us are illiterates and it will be difficult for us to ensure a steady income in the absence of proper employment”, said the farmers.

They criticised the authorities concerned for not conceding their demand for sanction of a site in Mysore for each of the farmers whose land was acquired. Besides, they had urged the Government to provide them with government jobs so that they can have steady income.

The protesting farmers expressed surprise that in the third phase of the land acquisition process, the authorities have not only increased the quantum of compensation but also promised a site in Mysore in addition to employment for at least one member of the affected family. The farmers protested against this discriminatory policy adopted by the authorities and demanded that the farmers who received only Rs. 7 lakh an acre in the first and second phase of land acquisition be paid Rs. 50 lakh an acre in addition to other benefits promised to farmers in the third phase of land acquisition.

A memorandum signed by 45 farmers was submitted to the authorities seeking early redressal of their grievance.

Meanwhile, members of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), Hasiru Sene and Bhoomitaayi Horata Samiti observed the 17th death anniversary of farmer leader N.D. Sundaresh. The farmers recalled the contribution of Sundaresh and paid tributes to the works of M.D. Nanjundaswamy and H.S. Rudrappa for the cause of the farmers and resolved to strengthen the farmers’ movement in the State.

Underlining the crisis plaguing the State, the KRRS said natural resources and mineral wealth were being exploited by individuals and private profit was being encouraged at public expense by both the State and the Union governments. It called for nationalisation of mining as a first step to restore balance in the exploitation and distribution of mineral resources.

The KRRS also called for dropping Ministers G. Karunakara Reddy, G. Janardhan Reddy and B. Sriramulu from the State Cabinet and called for a CBI inquiry into their mining activities.

The farmers urged the State Government to ban the introduction of genetically modified crops and safeguard indigenous species.

The KRRS criticised the State Government for adopting a discriminatory policy with regard to supply of power to urban and rural areas. They demanded for an equitable distribution of power to both urban and rural areas instead of supplying power to the cities at the expense of villages.

The farmers sought a minimum support price of Rs. 2,500 per tonne of sugarcane in view of the multiple benefits reaped by the industry by making use of sugarcane waste like molasses and baggase which fetched them a good price in the open market. Their other demands included a solution to reduce man-animal conflict, particularly with regard to elephants.

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