Farmers willing to give land for POSCO

BANGALORE: Amidst reports of unwillingness of farmers to part with their lands for the proposed Posco steel plant in Gadag district, Minister for Large and Medium Industries Murugesh Nirani said on Thursday that barring a few, majority of the farmers were ready to give their lands.Over 75 per cent of people are willing to give their lands.All they want is good compensation and employment opportunities for their children, Nirani said, adding that he would personally visit the villages next week and explain how the plant would kick-start development in areas around it.The state government is acquiring 3,382 acres in Halligudi revenue area in Gadag district and a preliminary notification has been issued by the KIADB.Nirani also brushed aside fears of environmentalists that the plant would have a negative impact on the ecosensitive Kappatagudda, stating that the project site was over 25 km away.Since the plant would erect a 270 ft high chimney, I don’t think there will be any effect on Kappatagudda, he added.He also took opposition parties to task for carrying out a negative campaign on land acquisition.We are acquiring only dry lands for industrial purposes.Unless it is inevitable, we will not touch fertile and irrig a t e d l a n d s , Nirani clarified.  POSCO EYES TONTADARYA MUTT LANDChief Minister Yeddyurappa is branded as the blue-eyed boy of Veerashaiva pontiffs, but here is a mutt which is losing its trust in him. Jagadguru Tontadarya Mutt of Gadag- Dambal will have to give up its fertile land for the proposed POSCO plant at Halligudi.The mutt owned 60 aces at Dambal and Jantli Shirur of Mundargi taluk since 400 years. Tontada Siddhaling Swamiji looks after all farming activities. The mutt grows onion, chilli, green gram and other crops. KIADB has issued notice to the mutt to acquire 22 acres of fertile land at Jantli Shirur village. The mutt has filed its objection before the KIADB. Tontadarya mutt vidyapeeth administrator Shivanand Pattanashetti said that the mutt had 60 acres in Mundargi taluk which was its main income, employing hundreds of farmers.