Karnataka distributes ₹54 crore compensation to 95 Kamalapura farmers after decade-long wait

On Monday, Karnataka district minister Satish Jarkiholi distributed compensation cheques totalling ₹54 crore to 95 farmers from Kamalapura at the Belagavi Deputy Commissioner’s office. The farmers had sought compensation for ten years after losing agricultural land submerged under the Ballari Nala project.

Land compensation and legal provisions

The payment addresses claims arising from the loss of farmland; the applicable legal basis for this compensation was not specified. The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 provides a statutory framework for land acquisition and compensation.

Important Facts for Exams

• Consent thresholds: For acquisitions by private companies, the Act requires prior informed consent from at least 80% of affected families; public-private projects require 70%.
• Urgency clause: The Act limits its urgency clause to national defence, security, or rehabilitating people affected by natural disasters or emergencies.
• Irrigated-land safeguard: The Act generally forbids acquiring multi-crop irrigated land, permitting it only as a demonstrable last resort; acquisition limits do not apply to specified linear projects.