Date:18/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/18/stories/2007011813050400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Kumaraswamy firm on Bidadi township

Special Correspondent

Says farmers will get a fair compensation

9,000 acres of land to be acquired

32 bidders offer to develop the township

BANGALORE: The State Government will hold discussion with farmers and provide a good compensation package for those who stand to lose land for the proposed satellite township in Bidadi, 35 km from Bangalore, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has said.

The Government had decided to acquire over 9,000-acre land in several villages to establish the township at Bidadi in Ramanagaram Assembly Constituency, which is represented by Chief Minister himself.

He told presspersons here on Wednesday that the Government would initiate discussion with farmers before acquiring their land. The compensation would satisfy all farmers who lose their land. As many as 32 bidders had offered to execute the project and a final decision would be taken soon on awarding work, he said.

The Chief Minister said five berths in the Cabinet would be filled on January 25. The legislature would commence its session on the same day.

The Government was planning to waive crop loans borrowed by farmers from cooperative societies in the State. Many farmers had committed suicide in recent years due to loan burden and crash in the prices of farm produce.

To dispel the stigma that surrounds HIV/AIDS and people who live with the illness, Mr. Kumaraswamy said he would spend a night at the residence of HIV/AIDS affected person at Inglagi of Mudhol taluk in Bagalkot district on January 23. The Chief Minister said he wanted to send out a message that nobody had the right to discriminate against HIV/AIDS affected people.