Mysoreans want zoo to have race course land

M Lakshmana, convener, Association of Concerned and Informed Citizens of Mysore (ACICM) has decided to approach Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde urging him to initiate action against the Public Works Department (PWD) for delaying repossessing of 139.39 acres of land, although the lease period expired on March 31, 2006.

Further, the department had failed to collect the lease fee of Rs 32.11 lakh a year from the time the lease expired.

The allegations comprise the complaint exhorting the Lokayukta to initiate action.
Lakshmana said that 100 acres of the total land leased to MRC should be allotted for the development of Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens.

The rest of the land should be earmarked for developing botanical garden keeping in view the growing tourism potential of the city.

Another plea

In another media briefing on the same issue, Member of Legislative Assembly Mahesh announced that he would seek the intervention of the Lokayukta to maintain the race course land as an open space in compliance with the Park and Open Space Act of Town Planning Department.

Alleging that the Medical Education and District In-charge Minister S A Ramdas is acting in favour of the race club, Mahesh expressed doubts about the former’s commitment to the people.

“He may be hand in glove with the club authorities ever since he was entrusted with the task of district in-charge”, Mahesh alleged.

The minister had issued a threat to the deputy commissioner who had been functioning unbiased, Mahesh complained.

Allegations

He alleged that a BJP activist named Shankar Rao, who failed to win polls for stewards in MRC, was made a steward after election, on a recommendation from the chief minister.
Recently, another BJP member, Prathap was also nominated to the club, said Mahesh.
At a meeting convened at his office here on December 9, Deputy Commissioner Harsh Gupta directed the officails of Public Works Department to file a caveat in a court.

The deputy commissioner also told the officers to take a legal opinion before initiating legal action.

Another meeting has been convened at the office of deputy commissioner on December 13 to review further developments.