Mangaluru, (The Hindu): The State government has issued final notification for acquiring 960 acres of private and government land in Mangaluru taluk for the fourth phase expansion of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL). The notification has been issued under Section 28 (4) of the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Act 1966.

The State government had issued preliminary notification for acquiring 1,050 acres of land in Kuthettur, Permude, Tenka Yekkar, Mulur and Kandavara villages in January 2017. Land has been sought by MRPL for expanding its production capacity, including setting up units for production of BS VI grade fuel.

After conducting public hearing on acquiring land and carrying out a final survey for acquiring, the government has now issued the final notification for acquisition of 960 acres of land.

The final notification for acquiring 380.01 acres of land in of Kuthettur (286.98 acres of private land and 93.03 acres of government land) and 431.9214 acres of land in Permude (393.785 acres private land, 38.136 acres government land) was issued on Tuesday. The final notification for acquiring land in three other villages was issued 20 days ago.

The Krishi Bhoomi Samrakshana Samiti had questioned the process of acquisition. In its memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on January 19, 2016, the samiti had questioned the claim that 75 % of land owners have agreed to give away land.

It said that the KIADB should not use the KIADB Act and instead, use the new Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013 for acquisition of land. The samiti had said that the land already in possession of MRPL can be used for the expansion plan.

This led Mr. Siddaramiah to direct the then Deputy Commissioner K.G. Jagadeesha to inquire into the issue. Mr. Jagadeesha submitted a report stating that owners of nearly 70 % of land have agreed to part with their land. The owners have sought, among others, payment of compensation under the 2013 Act, employment within in one year of land acquisition, and proper rehabilitation and resettlement package, Mr. Jagadeesha said in his report.

A senior official told The Hindu that with the issuance of the final notification, the stage is now set for fixation of land rates by the Land Rates Fixation Committee, which will be headed by the Dakshina Deputy Commissioner. The committee can arrive at a rate for land in each village in consensus with land owners or opt for payment of compensation as per the norms laid down under the new Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act.