The ambitious Upper Krishna Project (UKP) Phase III, which is considered crucial for expanding irrigation in north Karnataka, is encountering significant obstacles as land acquisition and compensation disbursal progress at an alarmingly slow pace. This is despite the state government's announcement of uniform compensation rates.
Project Scope and Current Status
The project requires the acquisition of 75,563 acres spread across 186 villages. However, compensation has so far been paid for only 2,543 acres, highlighting a widening gap between government 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. This sluggish pace has triggered anxiety among thousands of farmers and landowners who are set to lose their agricultural lands for the project.
Legal Challenges and Government Assurance
Many affected farmers approached courts alleging delays in the acquisition of notified lands and non-payment of compensation. During the proceedings, the government 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 government, 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.
Financial Implications
According to estimates, the government will require nearly Rs 3,000 crore to compensate landowners of about 6,500 acres in 23 villages alone. The financial burden on the government 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 government 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.
Concerns Over Timely Completion
The delay is now raising concerns over the timely completion of UKP Phase III works within the schedule stipulated by the tribunal. Farmers’ organisations fear that prolonged uncertainty could further intensify protests and litigation.
Staff Shortage as Additional Bottleneck
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 government 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.
