Karnataka Minister Orders Expedited Compensation for Upper Krishna Project Land…

The Karnataka Water Resources Minister, N. Cheluvarayaswamy, has directed officials to expedite compensation for beneficiaries whose land is pending acquisition under the first and second phases of the Upper Krishna Project (UKP). This includes land acquisition for UKP Stage-3 on a proportionate basis, affecting 184 villages expected to be submerged by the Almatti reservoir backwaters. The Minister instructed officials to follow government guidelines and avoid arbitrary decisions regarding the compensation rates, which were already fixed per acre under a previous order.

The orders concern the execution of a major infrastructure project involving land acquisition across the state. The Minister warned of potential legal action regarding allegations of sale agreements involving rehabilitation centers for sums running into crores of rupees. The responsibility for identifying land for rehabilitation has been given to gram panchayats.

Water scarcity is affecting major water providers in Karnataka. The ongoing water crisis impacts agricultural and domestic users across the state.