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Key Points

Karnataka Minister MB Patil announced the exclusion of 500 acres from land acquisition in Channarayapatna after discussions with CM Siddaramaiah and farmer leaders. Farmers will receive developed land as compensation, and Patil urged them to call off their strike. Separately, Patil stirred controversy by alleging corruption in the Rajiv Gandhi housing scheme. He confirmed meeting Siddaramaiah to discuss the issue after an audio clip of his conversation went viral.

Key Points: Karnataka Excludes 500 Acres From Channarayapatna Land Acquisition

  • Karnataka govt excludes 500 acres from Channarayapatna acquisition
  • Farmers to get 10,871 sq ft developed land as compensation
  • Patil urges withdrawal of strike after CM meeting
  • Controversy erupts over Rajiv Gandhi housing scheme bribes
2 min read

Karnataka government excludes 500 acres from land acquisition, MB Patil urges farmers not to go ahead with strike

MB Patil assures farmers of no further land acquisition in Channarayapatna, urges strike withdrawal after talks with Siddaramaiah.

"For the first time, the government has taken the decision of leaving 500 acres of land out of acquisition - MB Patil"

Bengaluru, June 24

Amid rising tensions over land acquisition in Channarayapatna taluka, Karnataka Minister MB Patil on Tuesday assured farmers that no further land acquisition will take place, following several farmer-friendly decisions after a meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and farmer representatives.

Speaking to reporters, Patil acknowledged the farmers' protests, said their concerns were heard, and urged them not to continue the strike.

"Today the farmers staged a protest. We had a meeting with the CM and the farmer leaders. They had requested that some major villages, which had irrigation and which were closer to Channarayapatna, should not be acquired. Accordingly, we are going ahead with three villages. Whoever wants developed land, 10,871 sq ft of developed land will be provided to those farmers," he said.

"For the first time, the government has taken the decision of leaving 500 acres of land out of acquisition and fair compensation will be given by the government to the farmers. Also, the government has promised that there will be no further acquisition in that taluka... I request the farm leaders to not go ahead with the strike," he added further.

Patil stirred controversy in state politics in a separate development by levelling serious allegations against the Housing Board, claiming that houses under the Rajiv Gandhi housing scheme are allotted only after bribes are paid.

According to Patil, he is supposed to meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tomorrow (June 25) after the latter invited him for a meeting, possibly to discuss the allegations raised. Patil acknowledged that it was his voice in the audio clip that went viral on social media, where a phone conversation purportedly between Patil and Sarfaraz Khan, the personal assistant (PA) to Karnataka Housing and Minority Welfare Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, has brought the Congress government under fire due to allegations of irregularities in the housing allotment.

"The CM called me for a meeting. I will meet him on the evening of June 25. He asked me where I was and whether I was coming to Raichur. He asked me to meet him. He did not ask me anything about the audio. I have owned that it was my voice," Patil told reporters here.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Good decision by the government to listen to farmers' concerns. Land is livelihood for our annadatas. But why only stop at 500 acres? Shouldn't all fertile agricultural land be protected? Hope the compensation is fair and timely. 🚜
P
Priya M.
The housing scheme corruption allegations are more concerning! If ministers themselves are admitting to bribery, what hope do common people have? This needs thorough investigation. Land acquisition issue seems resolved but corruption is the bigger demon here.
S
Sanjay T.
Typical political drama before elections. First create tension, then act like saviors. But credit where due - at least they responded to protests. Hope the developed land promise is fulfilled, not just empty words like many schemes.
A
Ananya R.
As someone from Karnataka, I'm glad the government showed some sense. But why does it always take protests for them to listen? Development is important but not at the cost of farmers' survival. Also, the audio clip scandal shows how deep corruption runs!
V
Vikram J.
The land compensation package seems decent - 10,871 sq ft developed land is better than just cash. But the timing is suspicious with elections around the corner. And that housing scam audio... shameful! When will our politicians stop looting public money?

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