A file photo of farmers protesting against land acquisition in Channnarayapatna hobli of Devanahalli taluk.
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In tune with the assurance made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to farmers of Devanahalli, the State Cabinet on Thursday decided to drop the acquisition of 1,777 acres of farmland in 13 villages of Devanahalli taluk in Bengaluru Rural District for Aerospace Park.
The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board would not acquire the land under its provisions, and a notification would be issued to drop the land acquisition, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H. K. Patil told presspersons after the State Cabinet meeting.
A few months ago, the government had decided to drop the land acquisition following protracted resistance by farmers. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had held a meeting with representatives of farmers in Bengaluru and decided to shelve the land acquisition process. The farmers had held 1,198-day protest at Channarayapatna of the taluk opposing the acquisition of lands, which is said to be one of the long-drawn struggles by farmers in the State.
The protracted struggle by farmers of Devanahalli taluk had drawn national attention with social activists and farmers’ leaders from different States extending their support to them. Social Activist Medha Patkar too had opposed the proposed land acquisition in a letter to the Chief Minister.
Despite assurance by the Chief Minister that the government would not indulge in forced land acquisition, the farmers were concerned over notices regarding acquisition that had been reportedly sent to a few land owners. However, the Cabinet’s decision now has provided clarity in this regard.
Water supply project
The Cabinet has given an administrative sanction of ₹73.22 crore for the operation and maintenance of the multi-village drinking water supply project in Banawar and Gandasi blocks of Arsikere taluk in Hassan district. The cost includes five-year operation and maintenance work for catering to drinking water needs of 530 settlements. A 22.04 MLD capacity Water Treatment Plant has been designed for the purpose, Mr Patil said.
Published – December 04, 2025 07:50 pm IST
