JOIN USRWH to be made mandatory in all city corporations
An amendment bill that proposes to make rainwater harvesting mandatory in all city corporations in the State was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
The bill also proposes to exempt property tax on building and land belonging to ex-servicemen or members of the family of ex-servicemen.
The Assembly has already passed the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage (Amendment) Bill, 2011, making it mandatory for citizens living within the jurisdiction of the Palike to install rainwater harvesting systems in their buildings.
The Karnataka Municipalities and Certain Other Law (Amendment) Bill, 2011, proposes to make it mandatory to build rainwater harvesting structure by households in municipal corporation areas.
Every owner or occupier of a building on a site of not less than 2,400 sq ft, or every owner who proposes to construct a building area of not less than 1,200 sq ft will have to provide for rainwater harvesting structure from the date specified by the government, the bill states. The bill also proposes to enhance the upper limit of property tax leviable by municipal bodies under different categories.
Film shooting
The State government on Thursday assured the Kannada film industry of clearing permission for film shooting at locations within the State through a single window system.
During the Question Hour, BJP member and film star Jaggesh seeking the introduction of a single window clearance, said that producers were finding it difficult to shoot films at various locations, as they had to approach various departments for permission.
If the permission was granted by the Information department by paying a fixed amount, it would be helpful, he said.
Members associated with the film industry like producer and BJP member Sandesh Nagaraj, Kannada film actor and BJP member Srinath too joined the chorus, seeking the chief minister’s intervention to end the woes of film makers.
Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda assured them that he would conduct a meeting of all the departments within 15 days and ensure single clearance.
2,580 acres of govt land encroached
As much as 2,580 acres of government land has been encroached upon in and around the City by 1,127 persons through fake documents , Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said in the Legislative Council on Thursday.
Replying to a question by JD(S) member Basavaraj Horatti, the chief minister said criminal action will soon be initiated against the land grabbers.
“The Cabinet will take a final decision shortly. Action will be initiated against encroachers in about a month thereafter,” he said.
Gowda said there was no question of shielding elected representatives, builders or officials who have connived with the land mafia. Of the 1,127 land grabbers, 258 have transferred the khata of the land into their names and the remaining 869 have not been able to do so. He said immediate steps will be taken to recover the land from the encroachers who have not changed the khata in their name.