Bangalore: Arkavathy Layout to become Reality with 60:40 Formula
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bangalore, Feb 11: The long-delayed Arkavathy Layout, approved by the Congress-led S M Krishna regime during its tenure from 1999 to 2004 but held up due to stubborn resistance from farmers over acquisition of 1,600 acres of their lands and mired in legal tangle, now appears to be getting closer to reality.
The B S Yeddyurappa regime has managed to sort out the dispute with farmers by agreeing to share the developed lands in the 60:40 ratio with the Bangalore Development Authority getting to retain 60 per cent of the land for distribution as house sites while the farmers will be entitled to get 40 per cent of the land in proportion to the lands lost by them.
A high level meeting with representatives of farmers held at “Krishna,” the Home Office of the Chief Minister on Friday, succeeded in resolving the differences between the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the farmers, who had lost lands for the layout project, on the development of the Layout.
The meeting attended by Home and Transport Minister R Ashok, Housing Minister V Somanna, D B Chandre Gowda, MP, and MLA Krishna Byre Gowda and representatives of farmers has agreed to share the developed land between BDA and the farmers on 60:40 ratio.
The farmers had been demanding 60 per cent of the developed land, which resulted in the deadlock.
Speaking to reporters after felicitating farmers who bagged the “Krsihi Pandit” awards for the year 2008-09 at the Banquet Hall of the State Secretariat, Ashok said the farmers had agreed to settle all pending issues for the formation of the Arkavathy Layout, which would spread over 1600 acres.
The S M Krishna government had taken the decision for formation of the Arkavathy Layout by acquiring lands from farmers. However, the project was in a limbo following the Opposition from the farmers on account of inadequate compensation.
The farmers had been demanding 60 per cent of the developed land in the form of compensation. However, the BDA rejected the farmers’ demand which led to the delay in the execution of the project.
The BDA had demolished several houses at the Arkavathy and acquired lands from farmers despite opposition from the residents and JD(S).
34 Farmers get Krishi Pandit & Krishi Awards
The Karnataka State Government Employees’ Association (KSGEA) on Friday felicitated 34 farmers who had received “Krishi Pandit” and “Krishi” Awards in the year 2008-09 at the Banquet Hall of Vidhana Soudha.
Home and Transport Minister R Ashok and Agriculture Minister Umesh Katti felicitated the “progressive” farmers, who had adopted innovative farming methods, better water management methods and high yielding variety of crops.
Katti said the Government has decided to hold a Global Investors’ Meet in agri-business in June to attract investment in the agriculture.
For the first time, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has decided to bring out a separate booklet on agriculture during his presentation of the State budget on February 24.
The welfare of the farmers was a top most priority of the government and several new schemes would be announced in the coming budget, he said.
Earlier, speaking to reporters, Katti said a decision has been taken to adopt farm lands of 1.5 lakh Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe families who own less than one hectare of lands for a year.
The Government would adopt lands and develop them in a year, the minister said.
Ashok said the government had accepted several demands of government employees over the years. The retirement age of the employees had been hiked from 58 to 60 years.
A decision would be taken soon on implementation of the pay-scales recommended by the sixth pay commission, he said.