Date:09/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/09/stories/2007010913380400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Singatalur project: package for farmers ready

Special Correspondent

Project proposed to irrigate nearly 50,000 acres of barren land

BANGALORE: The State Government has prepared a rehabilitation package for farmers who stand to lose their land for the Rs. 797-crore Singatalur Lift Irrigation Project in Bellary district, said Home Minister M.P. Prakash.

The project was designed to make use of 7.64 tmcft of water by constructing a barrage upstream of Tungabhadra Reservoir.

It is proposed to irrigate nearly 50,000 acres of barren land in parts of Hadagali, Koppal and Mundargi taluks in the first phase. Over 3,000 acres are likely to be submerged following the execution of the project.

Addressing presspersons here on Monday, Mr. Prakash said the Government had fixed the compensation of Rs. 1.5 lakh for an acre of dry land, Rs. 1.75 lakh for one crop and Rs. 2.23 lakh for two crop lands. The villagers of Bellary and Koppal districts had been demanding that they be given compensation and steps taken to rehabilitate them before resuming the work on the project.

The project was conceived in 1983 and land survey was done when H.D. Deve Gowda was the Chief Minister.

The project would supply water into two canals by March 2008.

Tenders had already been called for crest gate works, and the work would commence soon, he added.