Opposition for debate on Land Revenue Bill
The Opposition parties in the Legislative Assembly, on Thursday, refused to approve the Karnataka Land Revenue (Second Amendment) Bill, 2009, which seeks to regularise illegal sites and houses on agriculture land, without a detailed discussion on all aspects of the Bill.
As many as three lakh people, who own sites and houses on agriculture land (also called revenue sites), are eagerly waiting for the Bill to be passed in the State Legislature. The government through the Bill wants to regularise such sites developed prior to December 31, 2008 as “an one-time comprehensive scheme” by imposing penalty.
The government had banned registration of revenue sites in 2005, to ensure misuse of agriculture land. To develop a residential layout on an agriculture land, one has to change the land use for non-agriculture purposes. But hundreds of layouts have been formed across the State, especially in major cities, without changing the land use.
When Revenue Minister Janardhana Reddy urged the House to take up the discussion on the Bill, Opposition leader Siddaramaiah said several complicated issues are involved in the Bill which needs a detailed discussion.
For instance, Siddaramaiah said, it is very difficult for a GPA (general power of attorney) holder to prove that a particular plot belongs to him. Because there may be many other people who would have a GPA on the same plot. The Government has to clarify this point.
Likewise, there are many issues involved in it. As very little time is left for House to debate on it, the Bill should be taken up on Friday, he stated.
Almost all members of the Congress and the JD(S) seconded Siddaramaiah’s stand, forcing the government to put off the discussion on the Bill.
