Bengaluru: In a bid to defuse the controversy over the proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township near Bidadi, chief minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday assured farmers that no land would be acquired by force. “If someone voluntarily wants to give land because they need the money, we will accept it. Those who don’t want to give it need not. We will not force anyone,” the CM said. The CM also announced a committee to examine the project’s merits, concerns raised by farmers, and legal issues.However, the CM ruled out withdrawing notifications already issued for land acquisition, making it clear that the township project would go ahead. “Why should I de-notify the land now? Many CMs in the past made decisions in haste and later suffered the consequences. I don’t want that to happen,” the CM said. “In many villages, 75% of the farmers have accepted compensation. In others, 50% or 60% have done so. Once notifications have been issued and compensation paid, how can we suddenly allow farming to resume? The project will continue,” Shivakumar said.Explaining the need for a panel, the CM said it could comprise legislators, officials and retired judges. “I will discuss this in the Cabinet tomorrow (Thursday) and make a final decision. Once the committee submits its report, we will see what the farmers say. We must hear the farmers’ hardships, opinions and emotions. We must also examine the legal issues,” he added.On criminal cases registered against protesting farmers, he said, “The committee will look into it. Nothing will happen. There is no need to worry. Let’s see what needs to be done.”Targeting Union minister H D Kumaraswamy, who has been leading the agitation against the project, Shivakumar cited official records to argue that the township proposal originated during the JD(S) functionary’s tenure as chief minister. He said a meeting chaired by Kumaraswamy on Sept 23, 2006 approved five integrated townships around Bengaluru, following which the govt opted for the public-private partnership model and later expanded the project to include Marandahalli and Odeyarahalli villages.Appealing to farmers to end their agitation, Shivakumar said, “Don’t make sacrifices for someone’s political interests. Share your views before the committee that will be formed. At one stage, Kumaranna (HD Kumaraswany) had promised Rs 25 lakh per acre, but when compensation reached Rs 2.5 crore, many happily accepted it. Once compensation has been accepted, that land becomes govt land. Then the govt will decide what to do with it.”He said a Gazette notification issued on Nov 20, 2006 declared the project area a Red Zone, while the Kumaraswamy govt fixed compensation and allowed private developer DLF to participate in it after collecting a security deposit of Rs 400-crore.On Kumaraswamy’s allegation that the Congress govt was working for the real estate lobby, Shivakumar asked, “Now tell me, Kumaranna, who promoted the real estate business? Was it you or me?” He added that the BJP govt led by B S Yediyurappa revived the proposal in 2010 by inviting fresh global tenders.The remarks come amid escalating protests over the project. Last month, the govt issued a final notification to acquire 499 acres across three villages for the first phase of the proposed AI-powered township, which is planned to cover 7,481 acres across nine villages. Women protesters in Mandalahalli confronted survey officials with brooms on Monday, leading to criminal cases, while the project has also divided local farmers into rival camps.Meanwhile, the govt Wednesday issued final notifications to acquire over 4,941 acres of land across four villages. This is the second set of final notifications within a month. Invoking Section 19(1) of the Karnataka Urban Development Authorities Act, the govt declared that the notified lands are required for a public purpose and will be acquired for the township project.The Congress govt has not dropped the project. Instead, it is staging fresh drama by announcing a committee. The CM is trying to gain public sympathy. Neither the BJP nor the JD(S) issued land acquisition notifications during their tenure, and the Congress itself opposed the project while in oppositionConspiracies were being hatched against me by those unable to digest the fact that I had become the CM. This is not my dream project. It was your project. You wrote its preface and took the first steps. Now you are targeting me. I won’t stop this project
