Representatives of farmers from the State Association of Sugar Cute Growers interacting with the Minister of Energy KJ George on Wednesday in Mysur. | Photo Credit: Ma Sriram
Representatives of the Association of Sugar Cute Growers on Wednesday met with the Minister of Energy KJ George and sought fair compensation for losing cultivatable soil due to Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL), which draws energy transmission cables and tower installation.
In the memorure submitted to the Minister of the Association Ogansional Secretary Atahalli Devaraj, he said that the high voltage of 66/11 kv and 220 kV of energy transmission lines of KPTCL passed through agricultural land, resulting in a loss of cultivable area for many farmers.
Transmission lines from KptCl Mini in Gejjeyanavaddaragudi in the Hunsur sub -division have passed several villages, including Dharmapur, Karimuddanahali, Aspatre Kaval, Basti Marahalli, Hallad Koppal, Uduru Kaval, Tarikal in Hunsur. These transmission lines and towers built on Earth were not accompanied by any clear steps concerning compensation to the farmers in question, the Association said.
“In Response to An Rti Application, The Officials Have Claimed That Land Rates Were Fixed During and Meeting Held with Farmers in March 2024. But, When Asked Which Specific Farmers or Land Owners Attenters Clearly Indicates That The Farmers Were Not Part of the Decision-Making Exercy and Fair Land Rate Had Not Been Determined ”, Mr. Devaraj Alleged, While Contending That The Authorities Had Held Meetings on the Issue Without Bringing Notifications about farmers owned by land or searching for their consent.
The Association tried to point out the minister that the market rate in the region was 2 lakh per guntu. Therefore, a fair rate for land should be determined and a suitable amount of compensation should be determined. The body of farmers also claimed that transmission lines were already electrified without the consent of farmers.
The Association pointed out that farmers in villages such as Kooodahalli, Devalpura, Marasettahalli, Joranahali, Varuna and Vajamangala were not adequately compensated while drawn 220 kV line from Kadakola to Vajamang in Mysuru Taluk. “Their land lies near the layout where land prices range between 6 ₹ Lakh and 10 lakh per guntu, while the ministry quotes only 50,000 to 60,000 ₹,” said Devaraj in a memorandum.
Irrigation pumps
The Association called on the government to interrupt the policy of registration and install the meter for irrigation. Farmers’ irrigation pumps should be regularized after payment of 5,000 GBP, the Association said.
For land affected by energy transfer management, the government should provide free electricity connection for the irrigation pump, he added.
Published – 4 June 2025 9:07
