Belagavi: Yielding to pressure from freedom fighter H. S. Doreswamy and members of several organizations, Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, on Tuesday announced a state-wide survey to identify vacant government land for allotment to landless farmers and those living without shelter. He told the media here after meeting Mr Doreswamy: “I have decided to constitute an experts committee headed by revenue minister, Kagodu Thimmappa, to monitor the progress of this survey. It is our government’s commitment to provide land for landless farmers and homes for homeless.” The CM urged Mr Doreswamy to end his two-day protest in front of Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in support of the demand for land to the poor.
Meanwhile, the 98-year-old told the media: “They (protestors) have agreed to withdraw their protest as they have felt that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah heard them and showed a commitment to fulfill his assurance.” Earlier, the issue of Mr Doreswamy staging a protest figured in the Assembly with Opposition legislators urging Mr Siddaramaiah to meet the freedom fighter. Soon after question hour, JD(S) deputy floor leader, YSV Datta, raised the issue. He was supported by BJP leader Mr Jagadish Shettar. Mr Datta said Mr Doreswamy held revenue minister Kagodu Thimmappa in high esteem as he had assured to constitute a high power committee on land reforms. Mr Kagodu Thimmappa, however, refuted any assurance. “All I told him was about a survey of the land available,” he added.
The CM said during one meeting, Mr Doreswamy had mentioned that the government had several lakh acres which could be distributed among landless farmers. “I told him the information was wrong. I assured to get a survey conducted. If he comes to me, I do not have any problem talking to him.”
