Farmers oppose plan to set up NIMHANS-type institute on fertile farmland near Mysuru

Taking strong exception to the State government’s decision to hand over 20 acres of fertile land for establishing a NIMHANS-type institute near Mysuru, the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) on Sunday urged the government to look for an alternative site and leave the land identified in Survey Nos. 60, 68 and 8 in Gudumadanahalli for the farmers.

KRRS leader Badalapura Nagendra told reporters that more than 80 farmers have been cultivating the land for the past 60 to 70 years. The land is primarily being used for cultivating coconut and arecanut, and farmers also produce two paddy crops each year. In addition, dairy farming is a major activity in the village, which is home to over 400 cows.

He alleged that the government had decided to transfer the land for establishing the institute without consulting the farmers or considering their livelihood.

Terming the move “anti-farmer”, the KRRS warned that it would launch an agitation if the government continued with its plan to set up the institute on the land.

Lashing out at the Centre and the State government for failing to come to the rescue of tobacco farmers facing a severe price crash, Mr. Nagendra said farmers had repeatedly appealed to the Centre, the State government and Members of Parliament for intervention.

“Despite several appeals and meetings, nothing concrete has been done to support the farmers,” he said, adding that it was condemnable that the Centre had not supported the farmers at a time of crisis, even though the tobacco crop contributes crores of rupees in taxes. He also accused the State government of behaving as though it had no connection with the issue.

The land where the ₹100-crore institute has been proposed falls under the Varuna Assembly constituency, represented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The Revenue Department has already transferred the land to Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, under whose jurisdiction the institute will be established. The proposed facility is also located close to the Mysore Airport.