BKS demands action to take over disputed agricultural building near bus stand

Caption: BKS president Sidagouda Modi addressed the media on MondayBelagavi: Bharatiya Krishik Samaj (BKS) president Sidagouda Modagi demanded immediate govt action to take over the disputed agriculture department building on govt land near Belagavi bus stand. He alleged that officials leased 37,287 sft of govt land to a local resident, Neminath Hanumannavar, causing a loss of crores of rupees to the state exchequer. He warned that govt land should be used for intended purposes and not be used illegally to set up bars and restaurants. He warned that legal action will be taken against PWD if the negligence of officials continues.Speaking to media at the Kannada Sahitya Bhavan here on Monday, Sidagouda Modagi said that in 1966, while handing over this land to a local leader on monthly rental basis, the govt imposed certain conditions. While handing over this land, registered under Belagavi cantonment register number 316, several conditions were imposed for the benefit of farmers. According to the conditions, cold storage, soil testing centre, rest area for farmers, room to keep agricultural machinery, and agricultural tools should be started on the land. But this land was not allowed to be used for farmers. The agricultural building, which was supposed to function as a support for farmers and agricultural activities, was converted into a liquor and sweet sales centre and later into a lodge. Even officials forgot that this land belonged to the govt. BKS has been continuously fighting for the survival of this land since 2016, but the govt officials are not responding properly. The govt should immediately take action to save this land and remove the hurdles in the court, he demanded.Modagi demanded that the govt take immediate action to remove land encroachment. The govt alienated the land on the basis of land rent. The land rent is revised every 10 years. But the person has not paid the revised amount. Departmental officials misused their power. The officials caused loss of crores of rupees to the govt exchequer. The authorities are not interested in removing the hurdles in court. He warned that legal action will be taken against senior officials and staff of the PWD if the stay order in the high court is not lifted and the govt land is not returned.Farmer leaders Sanjeev Dongaragavi, Shivaleela Misale, Laxman Durgi, Mallikarjun Dongaragavi, Somappa Durgi, Shekhar Gurannavar, Siddappa Badasad and Irappa Pattihal were present.