JOIN USThe State Cabinet on Friday authorised a screening committee headed by Law Minister T B Jayachandra to look into a land revenue amendment bill aimed at regularising dwelling houses on revenue land in urban areas, which Governor H R Bhardwaj had returned recently.
The committee will examine whether to again bring the bill --the Karnataka Land Revenue (Second Amendment) bill, 2012 -- before the Legislature or give convincing reply to the issues raised by the Governor, Jayachandra told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.
The Governor had made strong observations on the bill and said that it will only help land grabbers and does not serve any social cause. The controversial bill proposes insertion of a new section 94cc into the Land Revenue Act.
It aims to regularise unauthorised residential houses built on revenue land in urban areas prior to January 1, 2012 after collecting a nominal fine.
Only those houses built on plots not more than 20x30 sq ft size are proposed to be regularised. In Bangalore, the bill provides for regularisation of houses built on revenue land within 18 km area of the BBMP limits.
The Governor has returned the bill for reconsideration by both the Houses of the Legislature stating that unabated regularisation of unauthorised construction on government land would directly lead to encroachment by land-grabbers.
Cow Bills
Besides, Jayachandra said, the Cabinet has decided to withdraw two controversial pending bills -- Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2010, the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Preservation (Amendment) Bill, 2012 – on cow slaughter ban. It was also decided to continue with the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act, 1964.
The 2010 bill proposed to repeal 1964 Act, making a provision for stringent punishment for violators and making the offence cognisable and non-bailable. Though it was passed in both the Houses of the Legislature, the President of India did not give his assent to it and had kept it pending.
The then BJP government had come up with another bill proposing amendment to the 1964 legislation, with an aim to enlarge the definition of cattle, make punishment harsher and increase the age of animal to be slaughtered. This bill was kept pending by the Governor.
“There was no need for these bills as the 1964 Act is effective. There is no problems or complaints against the existing Act. Besides, the Congress has been opposing the two bills. Hence, it was decided to withdraw them,” Jayachandra said.
Kumki land
The Cabinet also decided to bring in an amendment to the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, to give the ownership of Kumki land to those who are holding them. The amendment is proposed on the lines of Bane land in Kodagu. Kumki land is mainly located in Uttara Kannada and Dakshina Kannada districts, the minister added.