Palike clears Hudco loan, to get back Mayo Hall papers

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has succeeded in bringing some order in its finances as it will get back property documents of Mayo Hall and Kempegowda Museum, which it had mortgaged to the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (Hudco).

In 2011-12 and 2012-13 when the BJP ruled the State as well as the BBMP, 11 buildings of the Palike were mortgaged to raise Rs 1,676.85 crore. In the current year, the Palike could clear Rs 245 crore, which helped it get back the two properties.

On Saturday, the documents will be handed over to the BBMP at the home office of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at 10.30 am. The other properties, which are still under mortgage, include KR Market, Malleswaram Market, Dasappa Hospital, Johnson Market, Public Utility Building, WR Office, Kalasipalya Market, Rajajinagar Market and slaughterhouse on Tannery Road.

Mayo Hall, which was inaugurated on June 6, 1883, was the first head office of the City Municipal Council where council meetings used to take place. In the 1950s, it was the marriage registration office. The first floor of the same building houses the Kempegowda Museum.