HC notice to govt over allotting Beggars Colony land to BDA

Rashtrotthan Sankalp, an NGO, had filed a PIL stating that the government had been unable to effectively implement rehabilitation, and provide infrastructure to alms-seekers as envisioned in the Karnataka Prohibition of Beggary Act, 1975.

Further, they said that the Centre, with a capacity to house only 900 people, was not sufficient to handle an estimated 56,000 beggars in Bangalore.

The Central Relief Committee was also short-staffed with the government appointing only four members, when the recommended number was seven to fifteen, the petitioners said. They contended that the government had virtually failed in imposing beggary cess, as it was being collected from only some quarters.

The petitioners said that in June 2010, a government order was passed transferring 123 acres of land to the BDA. After giving away smaller parcels of land to others, only 38 acres would be left for the Beggars Colony out of the original 318 acres, disregarding accountability for public money, the petitioners stated.

They further argued that the public land meant for relief and receiving centres was being taken away for commercial development by the BDA. The land was acquired for setting up a beggary relief centre. The very purpose of the acquisition would be defeated if the respondents are not restrained by suitable orders of the court, the petitioners opined.

The NGO has sought the setting aside of the government order dated June 10, 2010, directing the transfer of lands to the BDA, besides directions to ensure that beggary cess is collected and secured by local bodies and transferred to the Central Relief Fund regularly.

Notification to acquire land

 Following an order by the Karnataka High Court, the Deputy Commissioner (Special) Bangalore Urban, G S Naik has issued a notification stating that 29.27 acres of land which has been illegally encroached by people will be recovered in Jaraganahalli and Yelachanahalli in Uttarhalli hobli.

The notice also states that with immediate effect all structures including religious structures will be demolished. The land is to be handed over to the Bank Offices and Officials Housing Cooperative Society.

Accordingly, a notice has been issued to the khata holders living in this disputed land for moving out with their belongings.

Notice to VTU VC

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday, ordered issue of notice to Vice-Chancellor of Visvesvaraya Technical University Dr H Maheshappa in a matter related to the PIL questioning his appointment as the VC.

The petitioner, J H Anil Kumar alleged the VC had provided false information during his appointment. Earlier, the HC had stayed a show cause notice issued to the VC by the Higher Education Department directing him to furnish details of his academic records.