Bharatiya Krishik Samaj (BKS) president Sidagouda Modagi on Monday demanded immediate government action to take over the disputed agriculture department building situated on government land near the Belagavi bus stand. He alleged that officials have leased 37,287 square feet of government land to a local resident, Neminath Hanumannavar, causing a loss of crores of rupees to the state exchequer. Modagi warned that government land should be used for intended purposes and not illegally for setting up bars and restaurants. He threatened legal action against the Public Works Department (PWD) if negligence by officials continues.
Land Misuse and Demands
Speaking to media at the Kannada Sahitya Bhavan here on Monday, Modagi said that in 1966, while handing over this land to a local leader on a monthly rental basis, the government imposed certain conditions. The land, registered under Belagavi cantonment register number 316, had several conditions for the benefit of farmers. According to the conditions, cold storage, a soil testing centre, a rest area for farmers, and rooms to keep agricultural machinery and tools were to be established on the land. However, the land was not used for farmers. The agricultural building, which was supposed to support 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 government.
BKS has been continuously fighting for the survival of this land since 2016, but government officials have not responded properly. Modagi demanded that the government immediately take action to save this land and remove hurdles in court. He also demanded immediate action to remove land encroachment. The government alienated the land on the basis of land rent, which is revised every 10 years. However, the person has not paid the revised amount. Departmental officials misused their power, causing a loss of crores of rupees to the government exchequer. The authorities are not interested in removing the hurdles in court. Modagi 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 government 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 during the press conference.
