Bidadi Township Compensation: Only 22% of Landowners Receive Payments

In Bengaluru, approximately 22% of landowners from seven villages designated for the Bidadi township initiative have received their compensation. The remaining landholders have either not agreed to relinquish their land or are still awaiting payment. Recent final notifications for land acquisition in two additional villages have been issued, but the disbursement process for those regions has yet to commence.

Farmers Express Concerns

Agricultural workers against the project argue that the compensation statistics indicate a broader hesitance among farmers to surrender their land. Officials from the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA), responsible for implementing the project, noted that the protracted nature of the process contributes to the slower pace of compensation disbursal. They pointed out that numerous farmers have purchased alternative properties after opting for cash compensation, which reflects a trend toward this payment method.

As per data obtained from GBDA, there are nearly 4,116 registered landowners in the seven targeted villages, with 928, representing 22.54%, having received compensation to date. The GBDA has delivered ₹1,470.89 crore in payouts thus far, while the overall estimated compensation stands at approximately ₹9,081 crore. The authority has successfully acquired 908 acres of land out of the 9,640 acres necessary for the project.

Compensation Options

Among the compensated landowners, around 689, or about 74%, have chosen cash compensation. Meanwhile, 168 landowners (18.1%) opted for developed sites, and the remaining 71 (7.6%) requested a blend of developed sites and cash. The GBDA reports significant progress in Mandalahalli, where compensation has reached 62.9% of khata holders, whereas K.G. Gollarapalya has seen minimal advancement in which only 2.77% of beneficiaries have received payments.

Protesters Voice Their Discontent

Prakash H.G., a farmer engaged in protests, highlighted a disparity between projected compensation amounts and funds that have actually been allocated, suggesting a lack of interest among farmers in surrendering their lands. He remarked, “The authorities claim 80% of farmers are willing to sell their land, yet the number of compensated individuals contradicts that, showing a notable lack of interest,” expressing concern that even three months into the compensation process, the total does not exceed 1,000 recipients.

Allegations of Fraud

Yashavantha T., the general secretary of the Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS), leading the protests, alleged potential inconsistencies in the compensation figures reported about genuine landowners. He reported instances of fraudulent claims for compensation. However, a senior GBDA representative contended that many farmers have been demanding expedited payment, emphasizing that the achievement of 22% compensation within three months reflects noteworthy progress, despite the complexities involved in the process.