Karwar: After a wait of more than 25 years, 57 landowners who lost their property during the Sea Bird Naval Base land acquisition in Karwar have finally received additional compensation totaling ₹10.47 crore. The amount was disbursed via RTGS directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts during a program held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office on Saturday, in the presence of Minister for Fisheries, Ports and Inland Water Transport and Uttara Kannada District In-charge Minister, Mankal S. Vaidya.
The compensation, delayed for decades, brought emotional moments for many recipients—some of whom arrived in wheelchairs or were represented by their children and grandchildren due to their demise. The Sea Bird project, initiated in 1986, led to the acquisition of land from 14 villages in 1999 and 2000. Several landowners had approached courts under Section 28(A) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, seeking enhanced compensation. Out of 443 such legal claims, 338 cases have been resolved, with an approved total amount of ₹68.38 crore, of which ₹10.47 crore has now been released.
Minister Mankal Vaidya stated that a total of ₹70 crore, including interest, was due to the Sea Bird project evacuees over the past 25 years. A small amount had been released earlier. Now, ₹10 crore has been transferred to the families of beneficiaries. However, ₹58 crore is still pending.
"Many of those who lost land are no longer alive. Those who are alive are too old to even walk. Officials and elected representatives should have shown interest, but they did not. People lost money running between courts and offices. Some even passed away. Now that ₹10 crore has come, more funds will be released in the future and will be delivered to the people," the minister added.
He also expressed regret over the inordinate delay, noting that only a small portion of the compensation has been paid so far and urged local MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri to take up the matter with the Defence Ministry to ensure swift release of the remaining amount.
Haliyal MLA and Administrative Reforms Commission Chairman R.V. Deshpande, who attended the event virtually, stressed the need for transparency and speed, emphasizing that victims should not have to wait for 30 years for justice.
MP Kageri acknowledged that the Defence Ministry’s appointment of a special officer helped accelerate the process. He said the Special Land Acquisition Office has begun digitizing its 30 lakh documents, with 3 lakh records already computerized. He added that improving rehabilitation centers for displaced families would also be a priority.
Karwar MLA Satish Sail pointed out that 105 of the 443 applications were rejected and demanded that these families be allowed to reapply. During the program, the Tourism Department also distributed ₹17.55 lakh worth of safety gear to coastal lifeguards and released its 2023–24 annual report.
The event was attended by Deputy Commissioner K. Lakshmi Priya, Zilla Panchayat CEO Ishwar Khandu, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sajid Mulla, probationary IAS officer Zhupishan Haq, and other senior officials.