BSY gave ex-MLA site, violating BDA rules
Lakshminarayana already owned a site in Mallathahalli
A former BJP MLA threatened to quit the party for some reason. Somehow, the BJP managed to retain him in its fold. The pay-off, or part of it was a BDA site in a prime Bangalore locality, thanks to the generosity of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.
Former MLA M D Lakshminarayana, who heads the Karnataka State Handloom Development Corporation, threatened to quit the BJP as he had differences with Minister V Somanna over ticket allotment to ZP/TP elections.
Lakshminarayana also had a demand - he did not want the ‘G’ category BDA site allotted to him by the Chief Minister in Banashankari 6th Phase, a new layout, but wanted a plot in HSR Layout. A few days ago, Yeddyurappa sanctioned a site in JP Nagar II phase to the former MLA.
For the Banashankari site measuring 50/80 sft, the ex-MLA paid Rs 8.31 lakh. In lieu of the site, he was sanctioned with the same dimension site in JP Nagar for the same price. The prevailing market price is not less than Rs two crore in this locality.
In November 2009, Lakshminarayana was allotted a BDA site under the ‘G’ category, at the chief minister’s discretion, in Banashankari 6th phase. He tarried on paying up the money for the site as he wanted a site in HSR layout.
As per BDA conditions, allottees should pay the fixed price (Rs 8.31 lakh in case of 50X80 sft) within 60 days from the day of allotment. The allottee can seek for extension of the duration for further 120 days to pay the amount with interest. Lakshminarayana paid the amount in August 2010, 72 days after the fixed 180-day (60+120) deadline had expired.
Rules of BDA do not permit it to accept payment made after 180 days of allotment.
According to the documents obtained under the Right to Information Act by B M Shivakumar of JP Vichara Vedike, the BDA commissioner gave special permission for the payment.
However, Lakshminarayana continued to badger the BDA to provide him with a site in a “well-developed” layout. His wish was fulfilled on January 11, this year, a few days after the ex-MLA had threatened to quit the party. However, the party’s senior leaders convinced him to relent.
Lakshminarayana paid around Rs 10 lakh (including interest) to get the site. In a note-sheet, obtained under the RTI, the BDA deputy secretary - 2 clearly says that the authority allotted the site on a direction from the Chief Minister’s office.
Not eligible
Lakshminarayana is not entitled for a BDA site. As per the rules of the BDA, those owning property in Bangalore Metropolitan limits are not entitled to a BDA site.
The rule applies to those who get sites under the chief minister’s discretionary quota too.
As per the affidavit he submitted to the State Election Commission when he contested the by-election to Turuvekere constituency in 2008, he owned non-agriculture property of 4,800 sft worth Rs 10 lakh in Mallathahalli in Bangalore.
