Palike sees furore over disputed land

Raising the issue in the Council on Saturday Byatarayanapura MLA Krishna Byre Gowda said backward class people in Sanjeevini Nagar and Singapura localities under Byatarayanapura and Kuvempunagar wards have been living on a government ‘kharaab’ land for nearly 40 years.

Yet, no initiative has been taken to give them title deeds. While BBMP says that the land does not come under it, the deputy commissioner of Bangalore Urban claimed it came under the Palike jurisdiction. He alleged political motive behind BBMP not granting the title deeds to the people.

C K Ramamurthy, Chairman of the Standing Committee for Town Planning said there is no political motive behind not issuing title deeds. “Several government bodies have claimed a stake in the disputed land including the Slum Clearance Board, Women and Child Welfare Department, a government school and the BBMP.”

Besides, there is a Lokayukta complaint with regard to the disputed land. The BBMP has therefore referred the matter to the legal cell to arrive at a solution, he clarified.

Emergency fund

Leader of the Opposition in the Council Udayashankar questioned how the Palike could afford to spend Rs 85 crore of the emergency fund fully  five months before the end of the fiscal year.

“The Palike has so far spent only 21 per cent of its budget. It also reflects that the works in the City have come to a standstill,” Udayashankar alleged. BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah said Udayashankar’s statements implied that he had squandered the emergency funds. He said he had to spend money on stormwater drains, borewells, water supply and for flood prevention measures.

Udayashankar said tree plantation was not an urgent work for which money was used from the emergency fund.

The Congress members staged a demonstration against the Palike administration for delaying the recruitment of 4,500 sanitation workers (Pourakarmikas) although the State government has approved it more than a year ago.

The JD(S) floor leader Padmanabha Reddy brought to light that some retired pourakarmikas were still drawing salaries. BJP corporator Gangabyraiah said AE Aradhya who was transferred a month ago was still serving in the Palike and drawing salary.  AEE Kencharangaiah, who was relieved two months ago still continues to serve in the Palike, he added.
DH News Service