From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Belagavi, Nov 25: The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has been directed not to acquire lands belonging to the people of the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes as also fertile and irrigated land for formation of industrial estates across the State, Large and Medium Scale Industries Minister R V Deshpande informed the State Legislative Council on Friday.

Replying to Ms Motamma of Congress in the Legislative Council on Friday, he admitted erratic acquisition of lands without working out demand and supply. 

As a result, thousands of acres acquired by KIADB had remained unutilised due to lack of demand. 

There had been delay on the part of KIADB in issuing final notification and payment of compensation to land losers, he said.

Due to this factor, the minister said farmers had lost their rights over their land and had been unable to take up agricultural activities on their land.

Around 13,000 acres of land in various districts had been returned to its respective farmers, Deshpande said that after he became industries minister.

Already the board had been directed not to acquire the SCs/STs, irrigated and fertile land and to do it only where there was necessity, he explained.