By Shivakumar G Malagi
March 12, Bellary: Farmers of Cha ganur and Siriwar villages in Bellary taluk participated in a rally here on Friday to protest against the reported statement of district incharge minister G. Janardhan Reddy that farmers are willing to part with land for construction of the airport.
Mr Mallikarjun Reddy, advocate and convener of the Chaganur-Siriwar Neeravari Bhoomi Rakshana Horata Samiti, criticized the state government for not responding to problems of farmers. These have been highlighted through a series of agitations, but the government has not responded during the last 14 months.
Taking exception to the reported statement of Mr Janardhan Reddy that farmers who are all friends and relatives of his and health minister B. Sriramulu are ready to give up land for the airport, Mr Mallikarjun Reddy said “I have been inviting the Reddy brothers and the Government for an open debate on the issue.
Let them come out in the open and name farmers who have agreed to part with their land. Is Janardhan Reddy ready to resign from
minister's post and retire from active politics if he fails to prove his statement in the Assembly? Our stand is clear. We will not part with land, and we are ready to intensify the agitation if the Government fails to concede our demand,” he told reporters.
He urged Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa to constitute a House panel to ascertain the ground reality and
obtain views of farmers rather than buckle under pressure from the district incharge minister on construction of the airport. Mr. Reddy said the Samiti had moved the court against acquisition of fertile land and made ministers Janardhan Reddy and Karunakara Reddy party in their individual capacity. The court had given an opportunity to the farmers to explain their plight.
Mr Reddy has taken exception to the deputy commissioner holding meetings with some groups of farmers to ascertain their views on the price fixed for land identified for airport.
No comments:
Post a Comment