Excise Minister RB Timmapur Urges Quick Land Acquisition for Upper Krishna Project

BAGALKOT, India – As the phase of submergence involving thousands of acres under the Upper Krishna Project (UKP) progresses in Bagalkot district, Excise Minister and Bagalkot district-in-charge minister RB Timmapur has directed officials to expedite survey work for land acquisition. The minister's directive aims at ensuring swift compensation distribution to farmers whose lands will be affected by phase III of UKP.

Timmapur

In a meeting conducted at Navanagar, Timmapur highlighted the need for maintaining updated records and urged officials to handle rehabilitation efforts with utmost humanity. The minister specifically directed the Special Land Acquisition Officers (SLOs) of Jamkhandi taluk to hold gram sabhas within five days to address villagers' grievances and take appropriate action.

According to information gathered during the meeting, approximately 3,300 acres in Mudhol taluk, 19,500 acres in Bilagi taluk, 2,400 acres in Jamkhandi taluk, and 8,700 acres in Bagalkot taluk are set to be submerged due to the project.

Additional measures include preparing a list of affected individuals from twenty-three villages in the first phase. This step is crucial for ensuring that all farmers who will be displaced receive adequate compensation. On June 8, Bilagi MLA and chairman of Hutti Gold Mines Company Limited, JT Patil, has set the deadline for payment of compensations to lands coming under submergence.

Timmapur stressed on officials maintaining open lines of communication with farmers to address any grievances in a timely manner. The minister also instructed officials to submit weekly reports documenting the progress of the compensation distribution process.