BDA seeks poll body's approval to auction sites

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has sought permission from the Election Commission to auction its sites across the city.

The application was moved from the BDA office to the government and then to poll body around 15 days ago, and clearance is still awaited, BDA Commissioner Rakesh Singh told DH.

BDA officials said the application was moved because the financial transaction is involved in this. However, some BDA officials are not very impressed as they state that auctioning sites is one of the routine works of the authority and there was no need to seek special permission for this.

According to procedures, the BDA holds a public auction of sites every fortnight. The last auction was held in February, just before the model code of conduct came into place from March 9.

The BDA had then invited applications to auction its 50 sites of varied dimensions in Sir M Visveswaraiah Layout, Arkavathy Layout, Nandini Layout, Mahalakshmi Layout, Nagarbhavi, JP Nagar and Banashankari.

BDA officials maintained that they were planning to invite applications for another round of auction. But have withheld until further orders. They said that they have been receiving requests from people to purchase sites. But the officials are turning away people stating code of conduct.

Proposal vetted

Additional Chief Electoral Officer (EM)-1, K G Jagadeesha said: “The proposal came to us from the state government on March 19 and it was sent to the poll body. The commission in Delhi is evaluating the impact the it will have on people, and will then decide.”

“As a procedure, all proposals sent to us are forwarded to the poll body. We do not take any decision here. If the commission feels suitable, they will give permission or can deny it also,” Jagadeesha added.