Land acquisition by KIADB: KRRS threatens protest march to CM’s Mysuru residence over delay in compensation payment

Alleging a scam in the payment of compensation for the acquisition of land in Nanjangud taluk’s Chikkayyanachatra hobli by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) has threatened to lead a march to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s residence in Mysuru if the issue is not resolved in a week’s time.

Addressing a press conference in Mysuru on Wednesday, KRRS leader Badagalapura Nagendra said the KIADB acquired about 1,123 acres of land across Immavu, Adakanahalli, and Tandavapura in Chikkayyanachatra hobli of Nanjangud taluk. A part of this acquired land has also been earmarked for the proposed film city to be set up by the State government.

About 700 families of farmers from the villages of Immavu, Hulimavu, Immavu Hundi, and Adakanahalli Hundi, who had also submitted applications for compensation under the Geni or tenancy rights, were excluded from payment of compensation, Mr Nagendra pointed out.

Following agitations by the aggrieved farmers, the KIADB, at its board meeting, decided to pay an ex gratia amount of ₹4 lakh per farmer with unauthorised cultivation on the acquired land and sanctioned a total of ₹18 crore that was disbursed through the Deputy Commissioner to Nanjangud Tahsildar.

Mr. Nagendra alleged that the compensation was distributed to ineligible farmers from different taluks of Chamarajanagar and Mysuru districts, leaving the eligible farmers high and dry.

Contending that “corruption and irregularities” had taken place in the distribution of the compensation, Mr. Nagendra said the farmers are demanding a thorough investigation and punishment for the guilty, adding that genuine cultivators should be provided the compensation they deserved.

Despite an agitation by the farmers for the last two weeks during which the matter was brought to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner, the issue has not been resolved. Mr. Nagendra claimed that the applications filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking details of the compensation paid to the farmers, too, had been denied, raising further suspicion.

Hence, he said the farmers have set a deadline of one week for the government to resolve the matter. If not, a protest march will be taken out from the protest site in Nanjangud to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s residence in Mysuru, where a demonstration will be held, Mr. Nagendra warned.

Opposition to Cauvery Aarti and Amusement Park

Mr. Nagendra highlighted the opposition by the farmers to the government’s plan to hold the Cauvery Arati and the construction of an Amusement Park at KRS reservoir. He urged the government to cancel its plan to hold Aarti at KRS reservoir by spending a whopping ₹92 crore.

Expressing opposition to the proposed Amusement Park at KRS, Mr. Nagendra said the farmers of Mandya had opposed the project as it posed a threat to the safety of the KRS dam. Similarly, “anti-people and anti-environment” projects like “Disneyland” too had to be scrapped following a public outcry, he reminded the government.

Fake seeds and Fertilisers

Mr. Nagendra expressed concern over the circulation of fake seeds and fertilisers in the market on account of the Agriculture Department’s failure to supply the required amount of commodities to the farmers even after the start of monsoon. He urged the government to immediately curb the menace and ensure adequate and timely availability of seeds and fertilisers to the farmers.

The KRRS has also extended its support to the “Devanahalli Chalo” call given by Samyukta Horata Karnataka on June 25 to protest against the forced acquisition of land by KIADB in Channarayapatna hobli in Devanahalli taluk in Bengaluru Rural district.

Published - June 18, 2025 07:12 pm IST