<p>Tumakuru: The process of disposing of Bagar Hukum applications — submitted for the regularisation of land cultivated without formal ownership — has hit a major roadblock in Tumakuru district. Over 52,000 applications remain pending at the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) level, with little progress made even years after submission.</p><p>According to official data, as many as 1,47,887 applications were received under the scheme, of which 51,548 have been rejected. However, 52,299 applications are yet to be processed by the respective VAOs.</p><p>Once the applications are submitted, VAOs are responsible for conducting site inspections and forwarding the files for further administrative action — a crucial step that is being delayed extensively.</p><p>The Bagar Hukum disposal mechanism involves a multi-layered review, progressing from the VAO to the revenue inspector, shirastedar, tahsildar, and finally, the Land Regularisation Committee. But even three years after the deadline for submissions (June 30, 2022), thousands of cases have not moved beyond the initial (VAO) login stage.</p><p>Farmers had submitted applications under Forms 50, 53, and 57, hoping for land ownership rights. Yet, as of now, 352 applications remain at the revenue inspector stage, 36 with tahsildars, and 210 await discussion before the regularisation committee.</p><p>The situation is particularly grim in Chikkanayakanahalli taluk, which accounts for 14,339 pending applications. Turuvekere and Koratagere taluks follow with 5,606 and 5,142 pending cases, respectively. This prolonged delay has left many long-time cultivators — some tilling the land for decades — in a state of uncertainty and hardship.</p><p><strong>No follow-up</strong></p><p>Despite repeated assurances from the deputy commissioner and revenue officials during review meetings that the backlog would be cleared swiftly, there has been little follow-up. Observers note that elected representatives often fail to act after such meetings, and the issue resurfaces only during the next round of discussions.</p><p>Expressing his frustration, Chandrashekhar, from Huliyar, said: “Officials make hollow promises during meetings. Once they’re over, the issue is forgotten. We’ve been waiting for years with no resolution in sight.”</p><p><strong>51,548 applications being re-examined</strong></p><p>A total of 51,548 Bagar Hukum applications have been rejected across Tumakuru district so far. However, a re-examination process for all these rejected applications has now begun.</p><p>Previously, land regularisation and title deed issuance were handled through Bagar Hukum Committee meetings chaired by local MLAs. But now, the entire responsibility has been assigned to the deputy commissioner. Thousands of applications were reportedly rejected without being presented to the committee.</p><p>Concerns were raised that even eligible applicants had their claims rejected. Allegations surfaced that officials were neglecting applications for land that had been cultivated for over 30 years. Applications were turned down, citing reasons such as the land being classified as Gomala (grazing), forest area, or gundu thopu (orchard lands).</p><p>“In rural areas, hundreds of applications were dismissed. The government is run by elected representatives — are officials above everyone?” MLA B Suresh Gowda had said, expressing dissatisfaction at a meeting held in the Zilla Panchayat.</p><p>Taking these issues into consideration, the authorities have now permitted a fresh round of verification for all previously rejected applications.</p><p>With thousands of farmers left in limbo, the delay has sparked growing concern and calls for urgent intervention to expedite the regularisation process and provide long-overdue relief to cultivators.</p>
<p>Tumakuru: The process of disposing of Bagar Hukum applications — submitted for the regularisation of land cultivated without formal ownership — has hit a major roadblock in Tumakuru district. Over 52,000 applications remain pending at the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) level, with little progress made even years after submission.</p><p>According to official data, as many as 1,47,887 applications were received under the scheme, of which 51,548 have been rejected. However, 52,299 applications are yet to be processed by the respective VAOs.</p><p>Once the applications are submitted, VAOs are responsible for conducting site inspections and forwarding the files for further administrative action — a crucial step that is being delayed extensively.</p><p>The Bagar Hukum disposal mechanism involves a multi-layered review, progressing from the VAO to the revenue inspector, shirastedar, tahsildar, and finally, the Land Regularisation Committee. But even three years after the deadline for submissions (June 30, 2022), thousands of cases have not moved beyond the initial (VAO) login stage.</p><p>Farmers had submitted applications under Forms 50, 53, and 57, hoping for land ownership rights. Yet, as of now, 352 applications remain at the revenue inspector stage, 36 with tahsildars, and 210 await discussion before the regularisation committee.</p><p>The situation is particularly grim in Chikkanayakanahalli taluk, which accounts for 14,339 pending applications. Turuvekere and Koratagere taluks follow with 5,606 and 5,142 pending cases, respectively. This prolonged delay has left many long-time cultivators — some tilling the land for decades — in a state of uncertainty and hardship.</p><p><strong>No follow-up</strong></p><p>Despite repeated assurances from the deputy commissioner and revenue officials during review meetings that the backlog would be cleared swiftly, there has been little follow-up. Observers note that elected representatives often fail to act after such meetings, and the issue resurfaces only during the next round of discussions.</p><p>Expressing his frustration, Chandrashekhar, from Huliyar, said: “Officials make hollow promises during meetings. Once they’re over, the issue is forgotten. We’ve been waiting for years with no resolution in sight.”</p><p><strong>51,548 applications being re-examined</strong></p><p>A total of 51,548 Bagar Hukum applications have been rejected across Tumakuru district so far. However, a re-examination process for all these rejected applications has now begun.</p><p>Previously, land regularisation and title deed issuance were handled through Bagar Hukum Committee meetings chaired by local MLAs. But now, the entire responsibility has been assigned to the deputy commissioner. Thousands of applications were reportedly rejected without being presented to the committee.</p><p>Concerns were raised that even eligible applicants had their claims rejected. Allegations surfaced that officials were neglecting applications for land that had been cultivated for over 30 years. Applications were turned down, citing reasons such as the land being classified as Gomala (grazing), forest area, or gundu thopu (orchard lands).</p><p>“In rural areas, hundreds of applications were dismissed. The government is run by elected representatives — are officials above everyone?” MLA B Suresh Gowda had said, expressing dissatisfaction at a meeting held in the Zilla Panchayat.</p><p>Taking these issues into consideration, the authorities have now permitted a fresh round of verification for all previously rejected applications.</p><p>With thousands of farmers left in limbo, the delay has sparked growing concern and calls for urgent intervention to expedite the regularisation process and provide long-overdue relief to cultivators.</p>
