Chief secretary issues clarification on land row

Following is the full text of the press note issued by Chief Secretary Aravind Jadhav.

 “The said land in Survey No 29 of Ramanayakanahalli on Anekal Taluk was purchased by Smt Tarabai Marutirao Jadhav during 2002 vide registered sale deeds 6057/2002-03, 4061.2002-03, 3747/2002-03, 3460/2002-03; 6055/2002-03; 3465/2002-02, 4442/2002-03; 6097/2002-03, 3742/2002-03 and 3463/2002-03. 

These land owners were granted the said lands during 1977-98. The said lands were purchased well after the expiry of 15 years period of non-alienation clause; to this effect an endorsement was issued by the Revenue authorities in July 2002 stating that they belong to general category. The said land was purchased by her out of the proceeds of sale of agriculture lands bearing Sy nos 77, 78, 80 and 81 of Hegganahalli of Devanahalli taluk. The purchase of land in Ramanayakanahalli took place in 2002 when I was not in State government and I was also not in Bengaluru. It was her money and her decision as an independent person.

“Subsequent to the purchase, applications were made a number of times for completing and fixing survey boundaries as provided for in revenue laws. The exercise of seeking completion of phodi division and durati (survey) in obtaining new RTC is a regular feature.

As a matter of fact it is part and parcel of the ongoing reforms of Revenue Department.

The effort of the land owner to seek streamlining the survey in Revenue Records as per the Land Revenue Act has taken more than 14 years in the courts of concerned ADLR and DDLR. Any decision of the Revenue & Survey Department is subject to judicial review and legal recourse is available to the aggrieved. Over last 14 years, neither the grant of lands in Sy No 29 of Ramanayakanahalli and the purchase through Registered Sale Deed has never been questioned by the competent authorities. There is neither any illegality nor any irregularity with regard to purchase of land by her.

“The said land was not a government when it was purchased by her. I have great regard for media and its independence. I regret my inability to appear in person for media in view of set precedents of government service. I request that all other matters if any will be brought to light during inquiry and law shall take its course through due process if required.

“The Deputy Commissioner, Bengaluru Urban and the Revenue Department is seized of the matters per the instructions of the Chief Minister.”