Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Jan 7: The Bhu Malikara Horata Samithi NH 169 has alleged that a wrong information had been given by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel during the District Development Coordination and Monitoring meeting that 65 percent of the land had been acquired for the proposed four lane road from Mangaluru to Karkala Sanoor.

Addressing the media on Friday,January 7, committee president Mariamma Thomas said, "Only 15 percent of the land has been acquired for the project which again is only conversion land. Nearly 250 land owners have already brought about a stay on the land acquisition process among which close to 240 are agricultural land owners. Then how is it possible to claim that 65 percent of land acquisition has been completed."

She alleged that MP Kateel conducts meetings only with the officials but not with the public to hear out their grievances. "How is it possible to have the foundation stone laid for the project by minister Nitin Gadkari when only 65 percent of the land acquisition is completed as claimed by MP," questioned Thomas. 

She accused the MP of not keeping his assurance of giving separate compensation for the acquired agricultural and non-agricultural lands. "Our MP is the reason behind the delay in road work", alleged Thomas. 

The road alignment has been done according to their whims and fancies only to protect the land owners who are close to the officers and prevent their land from getting acquired, she blamed .

The NHAI has also not shown any interest in acquiring land in the last six months and the proposal has been altered atleast four times, she added. 

"We are not against land acquisition or road widening. But the officials have suggested compensations unscientifically forcing us to move the court. The lands are being divided into agricultural land and non-agricultural land while providing compensation. In reality, there is no provision for seperate compensation for conversion lands. But the officials have fixed low compensation for agricultural lands and the price has been doubled for conversion lands". lamented Thomas. 

"Steps have been taken to provide Rs 1,850 per square meter for the land acquired at Padavu village as per the rate fixed for Kudupu village. Right now the actual price at Padavu village is Rs 23,000 per square feet. Further, the officials are taking 12 percent as GST from the land owners. It is not right to take GST from the people who sell their land," she said.

"We have brought this to the notice of the deputy commissioner. If he fails to take any action, we will stage a protest or hunger strike whenever the foundation stone laying ceremony takes place," warned Thomas. 

Committee secretary Vishwajeeth, Rathnakar Shetty, Jayaram Poojary and others were present.