'We would acquire land with farmers' consent'

Bangalore, Jun 23: Brushing aside the charges by the Congress on the proposed Special Economic Zone in Nandagudi village the Karnataka Chief Minsiter H D Kumaraswamy has asserted that there is no question of securing land from farmers by using force or legislation.

Speaking to newspersons here today Mr Kumaraswamy said the government has made it clear many times that farmers will have choice of their own on their land either to retain with them or to hand over at market price to the promoters of the SEZ.

Clarifying that the central government has not rejected the proposed Nandagudi SEZ near Bangalore he said that since promoters have submitted similar proposal at two other places in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, no decision was taken on the issue.

Replying to questions Mr Kumaraswamy also denied that the farmers of Bidadi village were resisting and their land was being forcefully being taken for the construction of Gandhi Township in his constituency. ''The Congress leaders are making reckless allegations without verifying the facts'' he said.

Mr Kumaraswamy also informed that the state government has constituted a Committee to recommend the formation of new taluks in the state.

UNI

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