Cong to protest acquisition of farmlands for Nandagudi SEZ

Bangalore, Jun 22 (UNI) The Congress in Karnataka will vehemently protest against any attempt to acquire farm lands for the proposed Nandagudi Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Mallikarjuna Kharge said today.

Addressing newspersons here, he alleged that the coalition government in the state was colluding with the realtors, who had acquired large tracts of farm land in the name of development.

The state government was backing the industry more than required at the cost of farmers, the Congress leader charged.

On the recent state government's decision to acquire over 12,000 acres of land for the proposed SEZ at Nandagudi on the outskirts of the city, Mr Kharge alleged that government was attempting to acquire more land than required and their party would oppose it.

Charging the state government with misusing the amended provisions of the Land Reforms Act to help land developers and realtors in the state, he said the Congress would organise protest rallies against it.

Welcoming the government's decision to carve out Ramnagar and Chickballapur as new districts, Mr Kharge criticised Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy of not considering to create Yadagir District by bifurcating Gulbarga.

The three committees which were formed to look into the demand of bifurcating Gulbarga district, had recommended creation of Yadagir district, Mr Kharge said and alleged that the Chief Minister was turning a blind-eye to the reports of experts.

UNI