Doreswamy hails CM for demolition drive

Member of the Anti-Land Grabbing Action Committee and freedom fighter H S Doreswamy on Saturday hailed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for his stand in the ongoing anti-encroachment drive undertaken by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). However, he urged him to take stern action against the builders responsible for the mess.

Addressing a press conference in the city, Doreswamy said that finally the government and the civic agency have woken up and are taking action to clear encroachments on stormwater drains.

He said: "All these years, the government and the BBMP did not take action and this year, after the flash floods, they are finally taking action against encroachers. It is a good move. However, it is sad that action is not being taken against the main culprits, the builders and layout developers. The builders are responsible for constructing structures on lake beds and drains. They should be arrested immediately."

He questioned the government on why it should wait for the Koliwad committee report before acting. "It will take two to three months for the committee to submit the final report on illegal buildings on lake beds and drains, and make recommendations for demolition and stringent measures. Why can’t the government take action now against realty developers and seize their properties?" he pointed out.

Voicing a similar opinion, convenor of the committee, A T Ramaswamy, added that lawyers from his committee had approached Karnataka Human Rights Commission on August 11. The commission had observed that temporary rehabilitation with basic facilities should be provided before displacement of residents.

Letter to SC

The committee has written to Chief Justice of India Justice T S Thakur to order a CBI investigation into the revelation made in the open court by Chief Justice of Karnataka Justice S K Mukherjee that he was offered a bribe in a land related case before his bench and for not taking action subsequently.