Farmers protest proposed cold rolled steel plant in Kudathini

Ballari: The proposed establishment of the state's first Cold Rolled Grain Oriented (CRGO) electrical steel plant in the Kudathini industrial area of the district, planned with an investment of Rs 11,890 crore reached an uncertain stage following protests by farmers.Hundreds of farmers under the banner of Bhoovanchita Horata Samiti protested near Kudathini toll gate on Wednesday, demanding that permission not be granted for the proposed industrial unit. The protesting farmers insisted that the factory should not be established on the proposed land and demanded that the state govt provide a revised land price. Some farmers were detained after an argument with police who arrived at the spot. The protest was held in view of the scheduled visit of a delegation to Ballari on Wednesday in connection with the proposed unit. Soil testing was to be conducted on 199.9 acres (80.9 hectares) at Kudathini for the the factory. The land-losers demanded higher compensation for the acquired land, insisted that the industry should be set up by the same company to which the land was originally allotted, and sought employment opportunities for local residents. The district administration, which is trying to ensure that soil testing takes place smoothly, already held a round of talks with the protesters and issued a written invitation for a reconciliation meeting scheduled on April 4. However, farmers maintained that they will cooperate with the soil testing only after the meeting on April 4. Deputy commissioner K Nagendra Prasad urged farmers to cooperate with the project, stating that the district's reputation would be affected if industries withdraw from proposed investments. He said the district administration is open to discussing the concerns of affected farmers and convened a meeting on April 4. The affected farmers reiterated that they will not extend cooperation until the govt takes a decision on providing appropriate land compensation and employment opportunities. Photo: 11-Farmers protest