'Akrama-Sakrama scheme extended till December'

District Minister T B Jayachandra has instructed the district officials not to vacate huts and houses built on government land. He further told the officials to accept the applications for registration of plots under Akrama-Sakrama scheme till December end.

He said this while addressing a quarterly KDP progress review meeting at ZP auditorium here on Friday.

The minister said, “Those who have built houses on land measuring 30X40 ft or 20X30 ft on the government property can regularise the property by applying for registration of the same under Akrama-Sakrama scheme. The eligible can apply under 94C and 94CC of Karnataka Land Revenue Act and get their property regularised. The officials concerned will be held responsible for any forced eviction of huts or houses, Jayachandra warned.

Even the slum dwellers can apply for regularisation of huts or houses under the Akrama-Sakrama scheme. In my home constituency (Sira), as many as 3,700 people have applied for regularisation of 20X30 ft land under the said scheme, the minister said.

‘Probe irregularities’
MLAs Srinivas, B Sureshgowda and M T Krishnappa demanded a probe into the large-scale irregularities reported in sinking of borewells, distributing motor pumps, providing power connection under the Ganga Kalyana scheme.

The district minister told the meeting that “Henceforth the bills for sinking of borewells and for the procurement of pumps and other equipment under Ganga Kalyana scheme will be cleared only after tahsildar and TP EO of respective taluks certify the quality of materials.”

Farmer suicides
Deputy Commissioner K P Mohan Raj told the meeting that 46 farmers have committed suicide in the district as on Oct 15, 2015.

The process to distribute the compensation to the kin of deceased is underway.
MLA Sureshgowda complained that engineer of Minor Irrigation department demand 10 per cent commission from the contractors who are executing projects worth Rs 1 crore or more.

To which, the district minister assured the MLA that a probe will be initiated into the allegations and action will be taken against those if found guilty.

Turuvekere sidelined
Turuvekere MLA M T Krishnappa asked the district minister “Why Turuvekere taluk was not declared as drought hit.” Reacting to Krishnappa’s query, the minister said, “Based on the report given by Revenue, Agriculture and Meteorology departments, and the recommendations of an expert committee, the State government would decide whether the taluk be included in drought-hit list or otherwise. In spite of it, I have urged the government to declare Turuvekere as drought-hit taluk.”

Of the 10 taluks in the district, only Turuvekere taluk was not included in drought-hit taluk list.

The minister instructed the KPTCL Superintending Engineer Chowdappa to complete the works on Hagalwadi Sub-station work in two months time.