Upalokayukta asks government to reclaim gomal land in Devanahalli

The Upalokayukta has submitted a report to the state government to restore government gomal land in Devanahalli taluk in Bengaluru Rural district.

A complaint was filed with the Lokayukta alleging that 4.22 acres of government gomal land was encroached by private persons in Irigenahalli and there were attempts to form a layout on the land.

The enquiry, held by Upalokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi, revealed that the land in question falls under agriculture status according to the master plan. During the enquiry, revenue officials admitted that the land was encroached by private persons.

The enquiry report stated that 22.6 acres of land in survey number 33 is government gomal land and from 1960 to 1980 it was granted to eight farmers and podi has also been created.

“In survey number 44, private persons encroached government gomal land and entered into a joint development agreement to develop a residential layout. The joint development agreement was registered at Devanahalli sub-registrar’s office in April 2016. It is seen from the documents that the revenue officials concerned failed to take action against people who have encroached government gomal land,’’ the report said.

The Upalokayukta has sent a report under section 12 (1) directing the state government to submit an action-taken report on restoration of government land within one month.

The report has also directed the government to initiate proceedings against private persons for encroaching government land.

DH News Service