JOIN USAddressing a press conference on Friday, Mayor S K Nataraj said the committee headed by Corporator N Nagaraj submitted its report on properties leased out to private parties.
According to the report, the Palike had leased out 394 properties of which the lease period of 208 properties had expired. Blaming officers of apathy, Nataraj said a strong warning forced officials search for the missing documents.
Pending in court
The lease period of 13 properties were renewed and 14 were recovered. Cases pertaining to 138 properties, whose lease periods have expired, and 181 properties, whose lease period is continuing, are pending in the court.
“We have decided to fight it out in the court to get our properties back,” Nataraj said.
Legal notices have been served on owners of properties whose lease term has expired and a caveat will be filed to prevent them from seeking interim relief at the courts, he said.
The Palike has also started recovering fees from the property owners, whose lease period is still continuing.
The Palike has also decided to display boards in front of all such properties to avoid confusion.
“The Palike has more than 5,000 properties worth Rs 10,400 crore spread across Bangalore. We will identify and map all such properties and keep their records with us,” he said.
The report and recommendations submitted by the committee will be tabled in the Council.
Documents destroyed
Leader of the Opposition, M Nagaraj, said the committee had identified just 394 properties, while documents of thousands of properties have been destroyed.
While saying that the documents of such properties must be recovered, Nagaraj suggested that the properties be auctioned for lease.
He also said that many properties had been leased out at very nominal rates and the committee should have made recommendation on this in its report.
Recommendations
* Identification of all properties leased out.
* Cancel contract of those who have violated rules.
* Concession in lease to educational, cultural, social, sports and economically backward organisations.
* Leasing out of properties through auction.
* No leasing out of parks, playgrounds and footpath.
* Zonal offices of the Palike should have records pertaining to all its properties and should display it on its board.
* Engineers and revenue officers accountable for all properties and in the event of damage, encroachment and missing of records they should be punished.