The Karnataka government has unveiled a historic compensation plan for farmers affected by the Upper Krishna Project-III (UKP-III). The announcement came after a special cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday, where land acquisition and rehabilitation issues were resolved.
The plan offers Rs 40 lakh per acre for irrigated land and Rs 30 lakh per acre for dry land to displaced farmers, alongside the setting up of a new Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Authority. The decision aims to address long-standing demands by farmers, local leaders, and various political stakeholders, ensuring fair compensation and support for the project’s impact.
Historic Compensation Rates Announced
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah revealed that the height of the Almatti Dam will be raised from 519.6 metres to 524.256 metres, which will submerge over 75,000 acres of land. The UKP-III project is anticipated to irrigate more than five lakh hectares, benefiting 12-13 lakh acres to improve agricultural productivity and livelihoods. Responding to demands from farmers and political representatives, including the BJP, the cabinet approved Rs 40 lakh per acre for irrigated land and Rs 30 lakh per acre for dry land.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar highlighted that compensation for canal land differs, and out of 51,000 acres needed for canal construction, 23,631 acres have already been acquired. The government plans to spend over Rs 70,000 crore on land acquisition and is working out financial arrangements.
New Rehabilitation Policy and Authority
To streamline rehabilitation efforts, Karnataka will create its first Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Authority. Shivakumar indicated that the government will implement all decisions under the Land Acquisition Act and invoke the mediation act for disputes currently in court. Separate compensation rates will be set for submerged lands within the Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam jurisdiction, including Almatti Dam areas, maintaining the Rs 40 lakh and Rs 30 lakh per acre benchmarks for wet and dry lands respectively.
Elected representatives have been assigned the task of securing consent awards from landowners over the next three fiscal years. Siddaramaiah emphasised the historic nature of the decision, contrasting it with previous compensation proposals ranging from Rs 20-25 lakh that remained unimplemented, and urged the Union Government to notify the 2013 Brijesh Kumar Tribunal Award for greater clarity.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This compensation plan represents a vital step toward balancing development with social justice, recognising the agricultural community’s sacrifices for large-scale infrastructure projects.
Genuine rehabilitation and fair compensation are essential to fostering trust and harmony between government initiatives and the affected population. In ensuring that these measures benefit farmers without delay or dispute, the government can promote sustainable progress with compassion.
