From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Belagavi, Dec 14: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has assured farmers that he and his government will not allow injustice to be done to them and will never allow real estate business in the guise of setting up industries in the lands acquired.

Responding to a memorandum submitted by a delegation led by Sandur Congress MLA E Thukaram on the land acquired by the State Government for setting up of steel manufacturing factories at Kuduthini in Sandur assembly constituency for ArcelorMittal Company, Uttam Galwa Ferros Company and Karnataka Vijayanagar Steels Company, he said the lands acquired for industrial projects must be utilised for the same purpose within the stipulated time.

He made it clear that the government will not allow companies to carry out real estate business in the acquired lands instead of establishing the companies as proposed.

When the delegation pointed out that the Land Acquisition Committee headed by the deputy commissioner had done injustice to the farmers, the industries minister M B Patil, who was present at the meeting, said that he will personally look into the matter and solve their problems.

Karnataka should top in pulses production

Addressing a preparatory meeting of the Inter-State Pulses and Organic National Day celebrations proposed to be held in Bengaluru on January 6 and 7, the chief minister said Karnataka should aim at becoming the number 1 state in the country in the production of pulses from the current fourth position.

Siddaramaiah said governments have been encouraging in the production of pulses since the last 20 years and pointed out that pulses were healthy and require less water for cultivation.