Panel on Srirangapatna temple land in Bengaluru wilting under pressure

Committee constituted to identify and recover 880 acres of temple land

A committee that was constituted to expedite the process of recovering 880 acres of land in Bengaluru South taluk, belonging to Sri Ranganathaswami temple of Srirangapatna, is finding it difficult to continue with its work due to the pressure from land sharks.

It may be mentioned that revelations about 880 acres of land in Bengaluru South taluk, donated to Sri Ranganatha swami temple in Srirangapatna took everybody by surprise last month.

Following the reports, a committee was formed, which is supposed to meet every week and discuss various measures to be taken to recover the land and submit a report to the higher authorities. But, the committee, which was constituted on June 6, has held just one meeting over the last seven weeks.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, an official, on condition of anonymity, said, most of the lands are in the clutches of realtors, who are allegedly exerting pressure on the government not to proceed in this regard.

The committee led by Tahsildar of Bengaluru South taluk includes Executive Officer of Sri Ranganathaswami temple; Assistant Director of Survey department, Bengaluru South sub-division; Assistant Commissioner department of Religious Endowment, Bengaluru; Tahsildar of Muzarai department, Deputy Commissioner’s office, Mandya, as its members.

The agenda of the committee is to conduct a survey of the lands belonging to the temple, verify the documents and find out on what basis the title deed had been transferred. The departments of Revenue, Survey and Religious Endowment should submit a report, explaining about the violations.

Registration
It has been confirmed that Dwaraka Bai Vedatham had registered 880 acres of land through a trust deed in the name of the temple at the Deputy Registrar’s office in Magadi (Registration number 1957/38-39), on April 15, 1939.

Land details
The detail of the lands belonging to the temple have been identified at Cholanayakanahalli - 285 acres and 29 guntas; Doddamarkahanahalli - 89 acres and 36 guntas, Peddanapalya - 265 acres and 6 guntas; Byalalu - 95 acres; Kurubarahalli (Kadukarenahalli) - 145 acres and 6 guntas. While a few acres of land are still in the name of the temple, the total worth is said to be Rs 1,500 crore.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Srirangapatna MLA Rameshbabu Bandisiddegowda said, it will be difficult for a tahsildar-level committee to continue with the work. “A committee should be formed with Secretary of Revenue department as its head. Surveyors necessary for the work should be deployed. The state government should consider the issue on priority. I will meet the Revenue minister and discuss the issue soon,” Rameshbabu added.