File photo of farmers protesting against land acquisition in Channnarayatna hobli of Devanahalli taluk. | Photo credit:
In keeping with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s assurance to Devanahalli farmers, the state cabinet on Thursday decided to waive the purchase of 1,777 acres of agricultural land in 13 villages of Devanahalli taluk in Bengaluru Rural District for the Aerospace Park.
The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board will not acquire the land as per its provisions and a notice will be issued to stop land acquisition, Law and Parliamentary Minister HK Patil told presspersons after the state cabinet meeting.
A few months ago, the government decided to abandon land acquisition after protracted resistance by farmers. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met farmers’ representatives in Bengaluru and decided to postpone the land acquisition process. Farmers staged a 1,198-day protest in Channarayapatna taluk against land acquisition, reportedly one of the long-running struggles of farmers in the state.
The protracted struggle of the farmers of Devanahalli taluk attracted national attention as social activists and farmer leaders from various states extended their support to them. Social activist Medha Patkar also opposed the proposed land acquisition in a letter to the Chief Minister.
Despite the chief minister’s assurance that the government would not indulge in forced land acquisition, farmers were alarmed by notices regarding land acquisition that were allegedly sent to several landowners. However, the Cabinet decision has now provided clarity in this regard.
Water supply project
The Cabinet granted administrative sanction of ₹ 73.22 crore for operation and maintenance of multi-village drinking water supply project in Banawar and Gandasi blocks of Arsikere taluk of Hassan district. The costs include five years of operation and maintenance of the drinking water supply for 530 settlements. A water treatment plant with a capacity of 22.04 MLD has been proposed for this purpose, Mr. Patil said.
Published – 04 Dec 2025 19:50 IST
