Farmers Demand Fair Compensation In Karnataka Land Dispute

The compensation issue for land in Karnataka is becoming a significant problem for Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvati. The situation has escalated due to a statement by the Chief Minister himself, demanding ₹62 crore from the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) for three acres of his family's land. Now, farmers in Bengaluru Rural, Chikkaballapur, and Kolar districts are demanding similar compensation.

They argue that if the Chief Minister can ask for ₹62 crore for three acres in Mysore, they should receive at least ₹25 crore per acre for their land around Bengaluru. This demand has caused concern among state officials.

Eshwar Reddy, a farmer affected by the Peripheral Ring Road project in Bengaluru, expressed confusion over the CM's large compensation demand. He believes that farmers around Bengaluru should receive ₹25 crore per acre from the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) or the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA).

This should be the standard for all land acquisitions.A farmer leader from Kolar district stated, "Land prices around Bengaluru are higher than in Mysore. If the Chief Minister is demanding such a huge compensation for a housing project where there is a provision for the allocation of alternative locations, then farmers around Bengaluru who are losing their land for roads, industries, and other projects should be compensated according to the formula set by the Chief Minister himself, not by anyone else. There cannot be separate rules for the Chief Minister and farmers."

Ajanya Reddy from Chikkaballapur echoed similar sentiments. He pointed out that the CM's demanded compensation is two to three times higher than current land prices in Mysore. He argued that if land in Bengaluru Rural and Chikkaballapur is being taken for SEZs, Aerospace Park, Ring Road, and housing projects, farmers should receive equivalent compensation. He added that if the government refuses to compensate farmers similarly, then "the Chief Minister has no moral right to demand so much compensation ignoring the farmers."The Congress party, which governs Karnataka, has historically supported various farmer movements. This includes backing protests against agricultural laws and disputes like Bhatta Parsaul in UP near Delhi. However, farmers are now questioning these claims.

Congress Party's Stance

Reddy questioned the Congress government's actions: "Whenever the government in the state takes land for development projects, it develops it and gives it back in a 60:40 ratio. The government keeps 60% of the developed land, including corner plots, commercial spaces, and other important places, and the farmers get only 40%." He further asked how MUDA agreed to a 50:50 compensation ratio in Siddaramaiah's case and whether the government would offer farmers 60% of developed land.The CM's demand has led to increased tensions among farmers who feel they deserve fair compensation. The situation highlights discrepancies between government actions and promises made to support farmers.

Farmers argue that there cannot be separate rules for them and the Chief Minister. They believe that fair compensation should be based on current market values and consistent policies across all regions.The ongoing dispute over land compensation continues to challenge Karnataka's government. Farmers' demands for equitable treatment remain unresolved as they seek justice for their acquired lands.