Staff crunch, fund shortage stall UKP-III land acquisition

Bagalkot: The ambitious Upper Krishna Project (UKP) Phase III, considered crucial for irrigation expansion in north Karnataka, is facing major hurdles as land acquisition and compensation disbursal continue to move at an alarmingly slow pace despite the state govt announcing uniform compensation rates.The project requires acquisition of 75,563 acres spread across 186 villages. However, compensation has so far been paid for only 2,543 acres, exposing the widening gap between govt promises and ground-level implementation.Official figures reveal that out of the remaining 73,020 acres, compensation worth Rs 544 crore has been disbursed for just 1,208 acres in 26 villages through the consent award mechanism. The pace has triggered anxiety among thousands of farmers and landowners who are set to lose their agricultural lands for the project.Many affected farmers approached courts alleging delay in acquisition of notified lands and non-payment of compensation. During the proceedings, the govt assured the court that compensation would be released to landowners who agreed to the consent award formula. Following this assurance, compensation was released to most owners of the 1,208 acres.Encouraged by this development, land losers from other villages intensified pressure on the govt, seeking similar compensation benefits. Former minister RB Timmapur, during a meeting with farmers’ leaders and legislators, directed officials to prepare a fresh proposal for extending compensation coverage to more villages.According to estimates, the govt will require nearly Rs 3,000 crore to compensate landowners of about 6,500 acres in 23 villages alone. The financial burden on the govt is enormous. For the entire acquisition process covering around 75,000 acres, officials estimate that nearly Rs 80,000 crore will be needed. The state fixed compensation at Rs 40 lakh per acre for irrigated land and Rs 30 lakh per acre for dry land.To complete the acquisition within the proposed four-year period, the govt would need to allocate nearly Rs 20,000 crore annually. However, sources indicate that the present financial capacity allows release of only around Rs 100 crore every month towards compensation.The delay is now raising concerns over timely completion of UKP Phase III works within the schedule stipulated by the tribunal. Farmers’ organisations fear prolonged uncertainty could further intensify protests and litigation.Apart from financial constraints, severe staff shortage in the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (R&R) division has also emerged as a major bottleneck. Against 854 sanctioned posts, only 355 have been filled, leaving nearly 500 vacancies unfilled.Officials believe that unless the govt strengthens the R&R machinery and substantially increases funding for compensation, achieving the ambitious land acquisition targets under UKP Phase III may remain a distant goal.