Farmers protest seeking return of acquired land in Kalaburagi

Farmers from Kiranagi, Somanathanahalli and Firozabad villages in Kalaburagi taluk staged a protest demonstration outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Kalaburagi on Tuesday demanding the return of land acquired for an industrial project, saying that the company has failed to establish the proposed factory even after more than a decade.

The agitation was organised under the leadership of Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha district president Sharanabasappa Mamshetti.

The protesting farmers said that 1,821 acres of agricultural land in the three villages were acquired through the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) in 2013 for the proposed Gulbarga Cement Company project. But the industry has not been established in accordance with the agreement and legal provisions.

The farmers said that they have become landless and displaced after losing agricultural land that has been the primary source of livelihood for their families for generations.

They also stated that agricultural workers and residents dependent on farm-related work in the villages have been severely affected.

According to a memorandum they submitted to the district administration, farmers were initially offered ₹3 lakh per acre in 2010 and another ₹1 lakh per acre in 2012 through stamp agreements.

Later, during a meeting at the Rangamandir in Kalaburagi under the chairmanship of the then Deputy Commissioner in October 2013, the land price was fixed at ₹16 lakh per acre.

However, the farmers said that the KIADB later reduced the compensation to ₹12 lakh per acre and released the payment after a delay of four years, deducting portions of the originally agreed amount.

The protesters demanded that the acquired land be returned to the original owners since the proposed company has not come up within the stipulated time. They also sought payment of compensation at the originally fixed rate of ₹16 lakh per acre instead of ₹12 lakh per acre.

The memorandum also demanded that if the land is not returned, the State government should provide compensation of ₹50,000 per month to each affected farmer’s family towards loss of livelihood for the past 13 years.

The farmers also sought issuance of job cards to one member from each affected survey number and priority in tenders related to the proposed company.

The protesters warned that they will intensify their agitation if their demands are not addressed.