'Will continue legal battle': Pramoda Devi Wadiyar hits out at govt on ordinance over Bengaluru Palace land acquisition

Mysuru: Member of the erstwhile royal family Pramoda Devi Wadiyar hit out at the Karnataka government for creating confusion by deciding to issue an ordinance to acquire the land of Bengaluru Palace without giving any TDR, as was decided till recently. She also vowed to continue her legal battle.

Reacting to the development at Mysuru Palace on Friday, Wadiyar said that her response to the proposal will be legal, depending on the contents of the ordinance.

"We do not know what is in the ordinance but, we did not go to the authorities concerned, seeking anything or offering anything. The BBMP approached us a decade ago offering a TDR for 15 acres and 33 guntas of land held by 14 persons for the widening of the Ballari Road. Now they cite that the TDR is decided by the court. However, the TDR is decided as per the TDR Rules of the government itself. There is a misconception and there are efforts to mislead that the TDR is a compensation. But it is just a certificate, which may or may not be encashed," she said.

Wadiyar said, "Whatever issues we have been facing, we are seeking legal remedy so far. Even now, we will pursue a legal course as we believe in law and the judiciary".

Responding to a question whether the Palace was being targeted, she said, "I do not want to say anything about it. People know, who is doing it. But, I do not know why it is being done. We have not done any harm to anybody. We do not know why we are being targeted. But, we will seek legal course."

"I have been doing this since four decades. It all started in 1996, with the proposal to acquire Bengaluru Palace and in 1998 to acquire Mysuru Palace. The judgements were in our favour, but the government resorted to the ordinance route even back then. Now also, even as our petition is pending before the court, regarding the Chamundi Hill, they formed an authority to manage it. While acquiring lands for Metro lines, the government pays 150 per cent of the market value of the respective land, as compensation. But, when it is the Palace land, the government is not ready to give even TDR. I do not understand the logic," she added.