Call for zameen wapsi' amidst multi-crore illegal dealings in land acquisition

[email protected] (CD Network)
April 20, 2016

Mangaluru, Apr 20: A group of social activists has demanded the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to immediately intervene and stop the illegal transfer of 147.384 acres of land by M/s Aspen Infrastructure Ltd (SEZ) to a third party and return all vacant lands as Zameen Wapsi' to the original owners of the lands before it was acquired for M/s Suzlon Infrastructure for the production of wind mill in Nadsal, Hejamady, Nandikoor and Palimaru villages of Udupi taluk.

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Addressing the Press in the city today, Lolaksha, Working President of Suzlon R&R Colony Abhivruddhi Samithi, said that KIADB authorities had given 641.915 acres of land to M/s. Suzlon Infrastructure Limited for the production of wind mill in those villages. But the company has not even utilised 100 acres of land in the SEZ area till date as it was not at all required to the company for the purpose it was acquired. The development commissioner of SEZs officially disclosed that 282.79 acres of land is still kept vacant in the processing area of the SEZ, he stated.

The KIADB and Revenue Department officials along with Suzlon management played mischief and allotted the land to the company much more than that of their actual requirement at a through away price by acquiring the lands in these four villages under Karnataka Industrial Area Development Act, 1966 by betraying the interests of the poor people of the area. It's a multi crore scandalous land deal involving high level officials and a business house, he alleged and demanded a CBI or COD investigation into this transfer of property to M/s Suzlon.

Contrary to the belief, hopes and desire of the people who sacrificed everything for the betterment of the State; M/s. Suzlon Infrastructure Limited (SEZ) and the concerned authorities have betrayed them in all respects and within two years, on 07.05.2009, it has transferred this acquired property in the name of M/s. Synefra Engineering & Construction Ltd. And again 3plus years later, on 21.09.2012, these properties have been transferred in the name of M/s. Aspen Infrastructure Ltd. Now M/s aspen initiated to sell 147 acres to the third party for a huge sum! All this has been done with the help of the Govt authorities, he stated.

Lolaksha said that, the delegation of Suzlon R&R Colony Abhivruddhi Samithi met Addl Chief Secretary, Dept of Industry and Commerce, Govt of Karnataka, Ms Rathna Prabha and submitted a memorandum in this regard. She assured the delegation that the Government won't allow the company to sell the property to the third party and ordered for an enquiry. But so far the committee has not received any information in this regard from ACS he said.

Lolaksha demanded the Congress Govt in the State should immediately repealKarnataka Industrial Area Development Act, 1966, which is a draconian law or incorporate pro-people provisions, which were part of UPA Act of 2013 into the KIAD Act.

Vidya Dinakar, a social activist, demanded the govt should come out with white paper on land allotments to various SEZs in the state and its utilisation.

Shekar hejmady, Mysuru divisional convenor of Dalit Sangharsha Samithi, Umanatha KR, president of Suzlon R&R Colony Abhivruddhi Samithi and Udaya Shetty, District President of Manava Hakku Parishat were present.

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Comments

p.m.saleem razak
 - 
Thursday, 21 Apr 2016

very good move in the same.. in jokatte mangalore KIADB Acquired plenty of land in 1990 for Nagarjuna project but still no project is started and they are going to sell this land for others this is not acceptable, and the entire land should be given back to farmers immediately this KIADB is playing with poor farmers.

p.m.saleem razak
 - 
Thursday, 21 Apr 2016

yes very good move the above said KIADB also acquired plenty of land in jokatte mangalre for NAGARJUNNA PROJECT IN MANGALORE in 1990 but still now the prjoect not come in force, in the same way these jokatte mangalore farmers also get back their Accquired land at the earliest.

Jithu
 - 
Wednesday, 20 Apr 2016

Can Mangaloreans lead the Zameen Wapsi movement? If this campaign turns into a movement we can witness the birth of more kejriwals

Jalal
 - 
Wednesday, 20 Apr 2016

I lost my land for MRPL a decade ago. Can i get it back ??? Now i can sell the same land for crores :p

Deepak
 - 
Wednesday, 20 Apr 2016

Yes let us raise voice for Zameen Wapsi, not only in coastal Karnataka, but throughout India and not only from SEZ but from all tycoons to the farmers.

Nidhi
 - 
Wednesday, 20 Apr 2016

A massive movement to pressurise the govt to repeal the draconian KIAD Act is need of the hour.

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News Network
November 28,2025

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Mangaluru, Nov 28: Karnataka Health Minister and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday handed over Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the severe distress faced by farmers due to crashing crop prices.

PM Modi arrived at the Mangaluru International Airport en route to Udupi, where Gundu Rao welcomed him and submitted the letter. The chief minister’s message stressed that farmers are suffering heavy losses because maize and green gram are being bought far below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The state urged the Centre to immediately begin procurement at MSP.

According to the letter, Karnataka has a bumper harvest this year—over 54.74 lakh metric tons of maize and 1.98 lakh metric tons of green gram—yet farmers are unable to secure fair prices. Against the MSP of ₹2,400/MT for maize and ₹8,768/MT for green gram, market rates have plunged to ₹1,600–₹1,800 and ₹5,400 respectively.

The chief minister has requested the Centre to:

• Direct NAFED, FCI and NCCF to start MSP procurement immediately.
• Ensure ethanol units purchase maize directly from farmers or FPOs.
• Increase Karnataka’s ethanol allocation, citing high production capacity.
• Stop maize imports, which have depressed domestic prices.
• Relax quality norms for green gram, allowing up to 10% discoloration due to rains.

The letter stresses that MSP is crucial for farmer dignity and income stability and calls for swift central intervention to prevent a deepening crisis.

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News Network
December 7,2025

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Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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News Network
November 27,2025

Bengaluru, Nov 27: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s camp is reportedly on alert as the Congress leadership tussle in the state intensifies, particularly amid speculation over the potential promotion of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah is said to be in a “wait-and-watch” mode after admitting to “confusion” earlier this week and urging the party to “put a full stop” to it.

Sources say his supporters are ready to act if senior leaders — including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi — give any indication of backing Shivakumar. If the party insists on a leadership change, Siddaramaiah’s camp has a list of alternatives, underscoring the deep rift between the two leaders. One possible candidate is Home Minister G. Parameshwara, a Siddaramaiah loyalist and influential Dalit leader.

The strategy was reportedly finalized at a meeting led by PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, another Siddaramaiah supporter, who stressed that Delhi leaders need to resolve the issue. Kharge and the Gandhis are expected to meet soon, after which Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may be summoned to Delhi.

Shivakumar has largely stayed non-confrontational, publicly endorsing Siddaramaiah and downplaying speculation about his own ambitions. However, he has made pointed comments emphasizing the importance of honoring promises, directed at Siddaramaiah.

The feud traces back to the 2023 state election, when Siddaramaiah was chosen as Chief Minister while Shivakumar, who led the party’s campaign, was made Deputy CM and state party chief — a departure from the Congress’ usual “one post per person” rule.

There were also hints of a prior understanding that Siddaramaiah would step down midway through the term. As the halfway mark passed last week, Shivakumar-aligned lawmakers have ramped up pressure on the party for a leadership change, with Shivakumar himself hinting at stepping down as state party chief to pursue the top job.

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