Model poll code not a hurdle for Arkavathy sites, says BDA

 The model code of conduct for Lok Sabha elections will not come in the way of issuing possession certificates to allottees of sites in Arkavathy Layout. However, those seeking sites in Kempegowda Layout will have to wait till the polls are over.

“We have a working plan in place for Arkavathy Layout. There are some problems as the layout is not situated on a continuous stretch of land. There are many vacant patches in between due to court cases. The allotment letters were given in 2004 and now we just have to give possession of the sites. This process is not affected by the model code of conduct,” BDA Commissioner T Sham Bhatt told Deccan Herald.  Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had assured the allottees of their sites by March 31, 2014.

Bhatt said that applications will not be called for allotment of sites in Kempegowda Layout till the model code of conduct is in force.

Fear of denotification

However, the fear of denotification haunts the Arkavathy allottees. They are not ready to take words of the BDA at face value.

Arkavathy Layout Allottees’ Association secretary Sanjay Marlecha said that the members were ready to take possession of the sites though the layout lacked basic amenities.
“But we want a written assurance from the BDA and chief minister that the sites allotted to us will not be denotified in future. The authority has not yet approved the plan for the formation of Arkavathy Layout,” he said.

Marlecha said that the present working plan is nothing but a draft, yet to be approved by the Town Planning section.

“If this is the case, how can the BDA form the layout in the next 20 days and give possession of the sites? The BDA is unable to explain what it is doing with 1,054 acres of land in its possession,” Marlecha added.

Sunil N, a member of Arkavathi Raithara Horata Samiti, said that the BDA had not denotified any land for farmers and all the related work had come to a standstill due to the code of conduct.

He said the Samiti was planning to move the court against the BDA, and if that is the case, the issue of possession certificates would be delayed further.