No farmer's land will be taken by force for Bidadi Township, says Karnataka CM
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday assured that not a single farmer’s land would be acquired forcibly for the proposed Bidadi Township project, amid
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday assured that not a single farmer’s land would be acquired forcibly for the proposed Bidadi Township project, amid growing protests over the plan. Shivakumar said the state government would constitute a committee to hear farmers’ grievances and examine the legal aspects of the project before taking any further decision. The announcement came a day after a land survey for the project turned violent as farmers opposed the exercise, alleging it was being carried out without their consent. Read Full Story “Those who do not wish to give up their land can continue farming. Those who are willing can voluntarily hand it over and receive compensation. But not even a single gunta of land will be acquired forcibly,” the Chief Minister said while addressing a press conference at Vidhana Soudha.
'COMMITTEE TO REVIEW PROJECT' He said the committee would review the implementation of the Bidadi Township project and submit its recommendations, which would be placed before the state Cabinet for further action. Shivakumar also clarified that the project was not his “dream project” and said he was only carrying forward an initiative started by previous governments. “This is not my dream project. I am here for the farmers. I am also the son of a farmer, and I understand their concerns,” the Congress veteran said, adding that farmers could meet him and raise their objections. 'KUMARASWAMY APPROVED BIDADI PROJECT' The Chief Minister also hit out at Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, saying the Bidadi Township proposal was initiated during Kumaraswamy’s tenure as Chief Minister. Presenting official records, Shivakumar said a meeting chaired by CM Kumaraswamy in 2006 had approved the development of five integrated townships around Bengaluru.
He said the project was later pursued by the BS Yediyurappa government in 2010 through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. He alleged that the project area was declared a “Red Zone” during the earlier government’s tenure, restricting development activity without approval from the Bengaluru Development Authority. Shivakumar also accused political opponents of misleading farmers, alleging that some people were attempting to create confusion among farmers for political reasons. BIDADI PROJECT CAUGHT IN POLITICAL CROSSFIRE Meanwhile, the BJP has announced a day-long sit-in protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on July 17 against the Bidadi Township project and demanding withdrawal of cases filed against farmers. BJP MLAs, MPs, former legislators and former MPs are expected to participate in the protest. The proposed Rs 18,000-crore Bidadi Township project has emerged as a major political flashpoint in Karnataka, with the ruling Congress and opposition BJP-JD(S) locked in a war of words over its impact on farmers and Bengaluru’s future growth.
The BriefWire