A Karnataka government decision to convert a proposed township project at Nandagudi, located 55 km from Bangalore, into an SEZ has resulted in threats of Nandigram-like protests from farmer groups and the CPI(ML).

On June 15, the H D Kumaraswamy Cabinet approved creation of a 12,350-acre, multi-product SEZ at Nandagudi, near the new international airport in Bangalore rural district, by SKIL Infrastructure Ltd, also promoters of two SEZs in Mumbai.

The Cabinet approval came despite objections raised by some ministers and bureaucrats over water shortage in the area and reluctance of farmers to part with their land due to the high price already being commanded around the international airport. According to market estimates, the value of land in Nandagudi is already between Rs 40-50 lakh per acre.

Following the Cabinet decision, the CPI(ML) at a special convention of SEZs held on Sunday said it would not allow the Nandagudi SEZ to come up.

State president of the CPI (ML) R Manasaiah in a statement said his party would join farmers in their fight to prevent acquisition of their land. “We will mobilise villagers around Nandagudi and tell them about the hardships they would have to face if the SEZ came up,” he said.

Even if the private promoter acquires land at market prices, farmers will have to deal with brokers who will make profits on the sale to private developers, he argued. “This is worse than the Government acquiring land,” Manasaiah said.

The convenor of a local farmers’ rights group in Nandagudi, S S Lakshmish, said the farmers want to continue to hold possession of their lands. “We want to continue as farmers, we will not give land away for an SEZ,” he said.

... contd.