Karnataka - Mangalore   

‘Withdraw order on Kumki land'

– Photo: R. Eswarraj

Making a point:Venkappa Gowda, president of Sulia Block Congress, addressing presspersons in Mangalore on Wednesday. Ramanath Rai, MLA, is seen next to him.

MANGALORE: The Congress has urged the State government to withdraw its order to take back the “Kumki” land being cultivated by farmers in Sullia taluk in Dakshina Kannada. The order will affect around 20,000 farmers cultivating the land, according to the party.

N. Venkappa Gowda, Sullia Block Congress president, told presspersons here on Wednesday that Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa should issue a directive to withdraw the order before taking part in the arecanut growers' meet in Sullia on Saturday. “If a directive is not issued by then, we will join the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha in organising a parallel meeting on the same day,” he said.

“Kumki” land is government land adjoining the agricultural fields. It is a privilege given by the government to a farmer to stock wood, and use trees and grass grown on the “Kumki” land. But farmers are not allowed to grow crops and build houses on the “Kumki” land. The Deputy Commissioner has the right to withdraw the privilege if the land is being misused by farmers, according to a revenue official. Mr. Gowda said the revenue officials had identified 96,000 acres of “Kumki” land in Sullia taluk to be taken back. “Around 20,000 farmers will be affected if the Revenue Department takes action. Similar action is likely in Puttur and Belthangady too,” he said.

Mr. Gowda alleged that the State government wanted to take back the land from farmers and give it to industrialists.

On Tuesday, a large number of farmers led by Mr. Gowda staged a protest in front of the tahsildar's office in Sullia. They also took out a procession in the town.

The district unit of the Janata Dal (Secular) has extended support to the farmers cultivating “Kumki” land.

“Farmers have been cultivating the land for several years and it should not be taken back by the government,” said J.S. Noronha, vice-president of the State unit of the Janata Dal (S).

If the government did not withdraw the order, the party would launch an agitation, he added.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Yakshagana academy plans refresher course
Summer camp
Wikimedia Commons set to reach a milestone
Growers excited as arecanut prices rise
‘Withdraw order on Kumki land'
Ban on iron ore exports affects NMPT performance

Copyright © 2011, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu