Supporting the Union government’s move to amend the Land Acquisition Act through an ordinance, national vice-president of BJP and the former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said that the move was inevitable to boost industrial development in the country. He was addressing a media conference at Inspection Bungalow here on Tuesday.
“A hassle-free and speedy land acquisition is imperative for industrial development. It is because of unnecessary delay, many projects are getting dragged for years. Industrial expansion to rural areas would, indeed, help farmers as it automatically addresses unemployment in villages,” he said.
He, however, assured that the Union government would ensure handsome compensation and proper rehabilitation to land-losing farmers. “Achieving industrial development without harming farmers’ interests is what we thought of,” he added.
Arkavathi row
Responding to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s remarks on him over the Arkavathi Layout case, Yeddyurappa said that widespread denotifications have been done after the Congress assumed power in the State.
He criticised the State government for its “lethargy” in implementing developmental projects and welfare programmes.
“The top brass in the government is completely engrossed in transfer deals. Hundreds of developmental projects are unnecessarily being dragged for years. Common people cannot get their work done in government offices without bribing officers. The government is, in actual sense, dead for people,” he said.
He said that MLA fund of Rs. 2 crore had been allocated to each legislature in the budget and only Rs. 1 crore was so far released. “Most of the MLAs have not yet utilised half of the amount released. When would the government release the rest of the allocated funds and when would the MLAs spend it?” he asked.
Published - January 21, 2015 12:00 am IST
