Patil demands probe into land acquisition

Bangalore, June 18: Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Council H K Patil today sought a Lokayukta probe into the transaction of thousands of acres of farmers' land acquired for industrial purpose in Bangalore Urban and Rural districts during the last 14 months.

Talking to newspersons here, he said the JD(S)-BJP coalition government headed by H D Kumaraswamy had acquired 19,712 acres of land after coming to power to provide it to various private companies, while the KIADB had acquired 16,668 acres of land since its inception.

''This is against the commitment made by Mr Kumaraswamy that his government would not allow looting of farmers land to hand over to rich industrialists,'' he alleged.

The government had already initiated action to hand over thousands of acres of land to develop a Gandhi City in Ramangar taluk, he pointed out.

He urged the Chief Minister to immediately stop acquisition of farm lands in the name of development as it would lead to adverse impact on the life of farmers.

UNI