JD(S) steps up opposition to Bidadi township, farmers join march

In Karnataka, the JD(S) on Sunday held a foot march near Bidadi against the proposed GBIT project, and the government's land acquisition for it, amid resistance from a section of farmers and villagers. The march, under the slogan "Namma Bhoomi, Namma Hakku" (Our Land, Our Right), led by the party's Youth Wing State President Nikhil Kumaraswamy, began at Anchipura village and is proceeding to Hosur, passing through eight villages. A large number of farmers, villagers, JD(S) leaders and workers are participating in the march, which will pass through Anchipura Colony, Bannigiri, Marevegowdanadoddi, Gundutopu, Gollahalli, Kodipalya, and finally Hosur, according to party sources.

VIDEO | Bidadi township: JDS Youth President Nikhil Kumaraswamy says, "Nobody from the Congress government, neither the district MLAs have visited the villagers and asked for the consent of the farmers. Without their consent, they have taken this project up." pic.twitter.com/khkgeNKJ1S

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Meanwhile,the state government has started giving out compensation money to farmers who agreed to part with their land. The government has fixed the land price at Rs 2.30 crore per acre. The payout also includes extra money depending on the types of crops growing on the land. As per Magadi MLA out of three villages: Kempayyanapalya, Mandalahalli and Vaderahalli chosen for the project, nearly 270 farmers have applied for the money and had written their consent letters. The compensation money for the remaining farmers will be transferred through RTGS, he said.  
Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy called the cheque distribution a trick to tempt poor families. He also asked why a politician was handing out chques instead of government officers. “They want to take over 500 acres, so why did they give cheques to only a few people? This is just to trick the farmers,” Kumaraswamy told the reporters.
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge told reporters that land is only being taken from people who agree to it. Speaking about land acquisition, Kharge said, “Out of 7,500 acres, farmers have agreed to give over 6,000 acres. We cannot do anything by force. In the past, when farmers said no, we gave their land back.”

(State Correspondent)