Devanahalli farmers anxious over KIADB notice on land rates: Report
Bengaluru: Farmers in Channarayapatna hobli of Devanahalli taluk are gripped with concern after receiving fresh notices related to land acquisition, raising fears that the state government may go back on its promise to drop plans for a large-scale industrial project in the region.
The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has issued notices for a price-fixation meeting regarding 439 acres of land in Hyadala and Gokare Bacchenahalli — two of the 13 villages that were previously notified for acquisition to establish a defence and aerospace technology park. This comes despite Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s assurance on July 15 that the government had scrapped the acquisition of 1,777 acres across 13 villages for the project, as reported by The New Indian Express on Friday.
Although the scheduled meeting on September 6 was later deferred following protests, villagers remain deeply concerned about the government's intentions. Many farmers now warn of launching intensified agitations if the land is not denotified as promised.
Ramesh Cheemachanahalli, a farmer and member of the Channarayapatna Land Acquisition Protest Committee, alleged that the government had earlier stated land would be taken only from willing farmers. “Around 23 farmers have offered 154 acres. But at least 13 other applications are bogus, and submitted under fake names. Complaints have been filed with the police and KIADB,” TNIE quoted him as saying.
Cheemachanahalli stressed that once prices are fixed, acquisition becomes legally binding, making the government’s intention unclear and fuelling farmers’ fears.
Farmers argue that despite the “voluntary” claim for only 154 acres, notices issued mentioned that the meeting was about acquiring 439 acres, creating panic. Ravi Matabarlu, a farmer from Gokare Bacchenahalli, alleged that notices were selectively sent only to a few landowners. “They sent notices only to a handful of farmers who had ‘supposedly’ agreed to give land, not to all landowners. Officially, they say notices were issued to everyone, but in reality, they selectively approached just a few. Later, they claimed others had rejected or returned notices,” TNIE quoted him as saying.
He further alleged that some of the applications submitted were fraudulent. “In one case, a person even signed on behalf of his elder brother, claiming he was willing to give the land,” he added.
Krishnappa, another affected farmer from Hyadala, expressed concern that despite the Chief Minister's earlier announcement about dropping the project, KIADB continues to convene meetings. He believes that officials and politicians are sending mixed signals, leaving farmers uncertain about their future. With their livelihoods dependent on agriculture, many like him fear losing the very land that sustains them.
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West Asia: India supplied 22,000 MT of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh in March, says MEA
New Delhi (PTI): Amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, India has supplied 22,000 metric tonnes of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh in March and has received a request from Seychelles and the Maldives to meet their energy requirements, the MEA said on Friday.
At his weekly briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in his response to a query related to requests received from India's neighbouring countries for fuel amid the West Asia situation, also said that India is "finalising a government-to-government agreement" for the supply of oil and gas, which will play an important role in reinforcing energy security of Mauritius.
The conflict in West Asia has now stretched to nearly 50 days, with global ramifications.
"So, we have received requests from our neighbouring countries for supply of fuel, and these are being looked into, keeping in mind our own requirements, availability and refining capacity," Jaiswal told reporters.
He further said India has "supplied 22,000 metric tonnes of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh in March 2026, and further supplies have continued this month as well".
"You would recall that last month we had supplied 38 metric tonnes of petroleum products to Sri Lanka as well," he added.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Mauritius last week, the MEA spokesperson said, adding, "We are finalising a government-to-government agreement for supply of oil and gas, which will play an important role in reinforcing the energy security of Mauritius".
As far as Nepal is concerned, there is an existing arrangement between Indian Oil Corporation and Nepal Oil Corporation to supply petroleum products to Nepal as per its requirements. The supplies are continuing without any interruption, he said.
Energy supplies to Bhutan also continue according to the existing arrangement.
"As I had mentioned earlier, we have received a request from Seychelles and the Maldives to meet their energy requirements. We continue to be in touch with them in this regard, and are considering the request keeping in mind our own domestic requirements and availability of fuel.
"I would also like to add that our neighbouring country governments have expressed appreciation for the uninterrupted supply, fuel supply to them during the West Asian conflict," Jaiswal said.
Global oil and gas prices surged after Iran restricted the transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that handles roughly 20 per cent of global oil and LNG trade.
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