To set the stage for the implementation of the languishing Upper Krishna Project (UKP) phase-III, the Cabinet, in its special meeting on Tuesday, gave clearance for the acquisition of 1,33,867 lakh acres of land in one go through "consent award or direct purchase" from farmers to facilitate the increase of Almatti dam height from the present 519.16 metres to 524.256 metres.

The special Cabinet meeting also announced compensation rates for land-losing farmers, while making it clear that the compensation amount, totalling approximately ₹70,000 crore, would be paid over three financial years starting from the current year.

Briefing media persons after the meeting, which discussed the sole agenda of UKP Phase-3 for nearly two and a half hours, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that farmers whose lands would be submerged due to the increase in dam height would receive ₹40 lakh and ₹30 lakh per acre of wet and dry land, respectively. Farmers whose lands would have to be acquired for building canals would receive ₹30 lakh and ₹25 lakh per acre of wet and dry land, respectively.

Through consent

The entire land acquisition process will be taken up through consent or direct purchase to expedite the process, while legal measures would be taken to move the cases related to land acquisition that are pending before various courts to a mediation process, he noted.

He said the decision regarding compensation rates had been taken after discussing in detail with farmers' associations, land-losing farmers, legislators and Ministers concerned. He described the special meeting of the State Cabinet as "historic".

When completed, the UKP phase-III would irrigate 5.94 lakh hectares of land (14 to 15 lakh acres) in North Karnataka districts, the Chief Minister pointed out.

Giving a breakdown of the land proposed to be acquired, he said that 75,563 acres of land would be acquired, as it would be submerged in water, while another 51,837 acres of land were required for building canals. In addition, 6,467 acres of land were required for rehabilitation and resettlement, he noted.

Notification delayed

Meanwhile, taking serious exception to the delay by the Centre in notifying the Krishna Water Disputes' Tribunal's award that provides the right to Karnataka to increase the height of the Almatti dam, the Chief Minister urged the Centre to come out with a gazette notification at the earliest. He said the Centre had not issued the notification in this regard, though the award was issued in 2010, and clarification in this regard had been provided in 2013.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also holds the Water Resources portfolio, said, "In view of some important cases going on as far as the rehabilitation is concerned, we have decided to formulate a new policy on Rehabilitation and Resettlement. We will collect the opinion of people's representatives and farmers concerned in this regard. As per the provisions under Section 51 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, we will establish the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority. This authority will be led by a judge appointed by the High Court Chief Justice," he explained.

He expressed concern over the Maharashtra government's decision to approach the Supreme Court to prevent Karnataka from increasing the Almatti dam height, and said Karnataka would face this legally and politically. "Mr. Siddaramaiah and I had met the Union Jal Shakthi Minister and held discussions on utilising our share of water from Krishna. The Union Minister has given an in-principle approval to issue a gazette notification on this project," he said.

INFO GRAPHICS

To facilitate increasing Almatti dam height from present 519.16 metres to 524.256 meters.

Total land to be acquired -- 1.33 lakh acres

Total land that will be irrigated -- 14 to 15 lakh acres

Total acquisition cost -- around ₹ 70,000 cr

To be paid over three years

Farmers to get ₹ 40 lakh an acre for wet land and ₹ 30 lakh per an acre for dry land in submerging areas; ₹ 30 lakh per acre and ₹ 25 lakh per acre in canal areas

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UKP phase-III: Cabinet gives nod for acquisition of 1.33 lakh acres in one go to facilitate Almatti dam height increase