Gadag farmers oppose land acquisition for Posco plant

Nearly half of the landowners who had been served notices have filed their objections before the Special Land Acquisition Officer (SLAO) of KIADB at Dharwad.

Of the 232 notices served, 144 persons have replied with 97 land owners categorically opposing the land acquisition. In their replies they have asserted they would not part with their land before the land acquisition officer. Forty-seven land owners have granted 'conditional consent' for giving their lands.

According to the assistant commissioner of Dharwad district, Shivanand Kapse, 232 notices had been served to the land owners for acquisition of land for the proposed Posco steel plant at Gadag, of which 144 persons had filed their submissions before KIADB till yesterday, which was the last date for filing submissions for the notices served so far.

The farmers have demanded Rs30 lakh per acre by way of compensation, allotment of company shares to the affected families and a job for one member of each of the affected families.

According to Kapse in addition to the 144 persons, as many as 48 had voluntarily filed their submissions before the KIADB.

He said the landowners, who had not been issued notices to attend the hearing came on their own and conveyed their opinion. While 35 of them were opposed to parting with their lands, 13 were agreeable on conditions that a compensation of Rs30 lakh was paid and, in addition,  others terms were met, he said.