Army wants cricket stadium, State says no

Government argues that it has clear title of the land

In a Civil Military Liaison Conference (CMLC) chaired by CM Yeddyurappa, Commander K&K Sub Area, Brigadier P S Ravindranath said the land, where the stadium was built in 1968, belonged to the defence. Due to some reasons the issue could not be settled all these years. The State Government should come forward to settle it now, he stated.

Major General in-charge of Operational Logistics, Headquarters, Southern Command, Maj Gen K N Mirji was also present.

The Brigadier also said the issue can be settled in two ways: Either get into a lease agreement on running the stadium, or the Government can compensate it by giving an alternative piece of land.

On this, Chief Secretary S V Ranganath said the ownership issue of the stadium and land adjoining it has been settled long ago.

The then Revenue Department Secretary in 2004 has stated that the Army does not have a clear title over the land. However, the Government will direct the Revenue Department to look into the demand to give an alternative plot of land.

When contacted, S M Jaamdar, who was the Revenue Secretary in 2004, said the Army does not have a single document to prove that it is the owner. “The State Government has clear title over it, and I have proved it at that time,” he stated.

Defence uniform

The State Government has decided to ban civilians from wearing clothes resembling defence uniforms and flags in the interest of security. A legislation will be enacted for this purpose, the Chief Secretary assured the conference. Brigadier Ravindranath earlier said civilians, especially private security agencies, are using clothes similar to defence uniforms posing a serious security threat. There is a need to ban it immediately.

He further said a total of 117 acre defence land has been encroached across the State.
They said they will give up all efforts to recover the encroached land if the Government gives the same extent of land either in Bangalore or Belgaum.

To this, Ranganath said there is no land available in Bangalore. The Government may grant some land in Belgaum and Kolar districts.

Sainik Board meeting

Karnataka Rajya Sainik Board meeting was held on Wednesday. Issues such as ex-servicemen contributory health scheme polyclinic, financial assistance to disabled soldiers at a rehabilitation centre in Pune, enhancement of ‘marriage grant’ for the daughters of battle casualties, sanctioning of funds for military boys hostels in Mysore and Bijapur were discussed.

Chief Secretary S V Ranganath and Director of Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement Col (Retd) Uthaiah were present at the meeting.