Arkavathy Layout: Old whine for new battle

Arkavathy Layout: Old whine for new battle


Express News ServiceFirst Published : 12 Oct 2009 04:27:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 12 Oct 2009 06:58:23 AM IST
BANGALORE: Even five years after their land was acquired by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) for the formation of Arkavathy Layout, more than 2,200 land owners, mostly farmers, are yet to accept the compensation offered by the BDA. The owners want 40 per cent of the developed land—the BDA’s offering to land owners in the five new proposed layouts—instead of the Rs 12 lakh an acre BDA wants them to have.
Hundred-and-twenty-nine farmers have taken BDA to the Supreme Court, demanding better compensation.
So far only 55 land owners out of the nearly 2,300 have accepted the compensation.
S Nagraj of Jakkur, whose two acres was acquired says, “I will wait till the Supreme Court gives its verdict. We expected the Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily to expedite the case, but he has not done anything so far. The government has sold a small plot of land to Umer Builders for Rs 4 crore, and it is offering us Rs 12 lakh for an acre. It is injustice.” However, BDA officials say that they cannot apply the new compensation scheme to land that was acquired under the old system.
M Nanje Gowda, whose land was acquired by the BDA, said: “I have not accepted the BDA’s compensation.
If it gives us 40 per cent of the developed land like it is offering to the land owners in the five new layouts, we will happily accept it.” BDA Commissioner Siddiah said, “We will give Rs 12 lakh per acre along with interest to any farmer who is willing to accept. At this point we cannot take any new decisions. We will abide by the verdict of Supreme Court.” According to sources, big developers have bought most of the land in the layout from the farmers, and are fighting court cases in their name. BDA had issued the final notification to acquire 2,750 acres in 16 villages on February 2, 2004.
It could only acquire 1,459 acres before protests took the issue to the Supreme Court.