Action will be taken against builders, says Law minister

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra has said that strict legal action will be initiated against the builders who constructed apartments on lakebeds and government land in Bengaluru.

Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, the minister said, “The State government has waged a battle against the builders and the land mafia who have constructed residential and commercial buildings on the government land. All buildings erected on lakebed will be evicted, he said.

According to the original revenue map, there are 1,640 lakes in Bengaluru. The Bangalore Development Authority had developed layouts on a few dead lakes. The BDA went ahead after taking due permission from the Revenue department.

The officials have not erased the presence of lakes/ water bodies from the records or maps. It is unfortunate that many poor and middle-class people have lost their homes in the demolition drive.

The government will take steps to rehabilitate the poor who have lost their houses during the clearance drive, the minister said.