LPG pipeline project stalled

CHITRADURGA: With no remedy on sight, work on Dabhol - Bangalore Liquefied Natural gas pipeline project implemented by Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) was stalled at Dodda Siddavanahalli village of the district for the third successive day on Friday.Talks between farmers and GAIL failed with farmers being reluctant to allow work on their land for meager compensation being given by project implementing authorities.Talks between government, farmers will be held on August 1.Meanwhile the high drama shifted from agricultural lands of Dodda Siddavanahalli to Murugha mutt where pontiff Dr Shivamurthy Murugha Sharana tried to mediate and resolve the problem and allow the work on the project, but it failed due to the absence of majority of farmers who’s fields are effected.Speaking to Express, pontiff Murugha Sharana said, “Yesterday some farmers came and discussed their problems with me about laying of the gas pipeline and I promised to hold talks with deputy commissioner and invited him to the mutt.” “As some more farmers were to attend the meeting, we have decided to hold talks on August 1. Till then no work will continue,” he elaborated.The seer also said that, “The project is for the betterment of the public across the country, hence we should concede some part of the land.”Partial increasePontiff said, “Rates fixed for acquisition of the lands should be increased partially and farmers are supposed to get more compensation.When they are facing vagaries of the monsoons, it is our duty to protect them, hence increase in land rates is inevitable.” Before talks, the pontiff himself visited the spot at Dodda Siddavanahalli village.Not against projectFarmer leader Bedareddihalli Basava Reddy said, “We are not against the project, but if you want to continue it, you have to give 40 per cent of compensation of the market value of the land.”