Farmers of Jakkasandra and surrounding villages in Malur taluk have said that they will part with their land to set up an industrial area there if only they were paid Rs. 1 crore per acre of land to be acquired for the purpose.
A meeting was convened on Thursday to discuss the issue and ascertain the opinion of the public in connection with the rate to be fixed for the land near Jakkasandra where it is proposed to set up the third phase of the industrial area.
The farmers argued that they would be losing fertile irrigated land and hence, they should be given more compensation. “We will not give land if the rate fixed is at even Rs. 80 lakh per acre,” the farmers insisted.
Deputy Commissioner D.S. Vishwanath clarified that he had the authority to fix a maximum of Rs. 40 lakh per acre of acquired land. While Rs. 30 lakh was given for land at Vemgal, the amount could be raised to Rs. 40 lakh for land in Jakkasandra, he said.
“If the farmers insisted on more, that will be conveyed to the government,” Mr. Vishwanath, who is also the chairman of the price fixation committee, said.
According to the sub-registrar the rate of irrigated land in the area was in the range of Rs. 10 lakh to 12 lakh per acre. However, since Rs. 30 lakh was given to Vemgal farmers, the committee could fix it at Rs. 40 lakh using its discretionary power, Mr. Vishwanath said.
The government will not force the farmers to give their land for the industrial area, he said. A former MLA A. Nagaraj and farmer leader A. Ashwath Reddy spoke.
Joint Director of the Department of Industries V. Venkatesh, Land Acquisition Officer Ambarish and Assistant Commissioner Ayesha Parveen were present.
