The High Court on Thursday pulled up the Bengaluru Rural Deputy Commissioner for ‘inaction’ on disposal of an application seeking conversion of a piece of land despite an order passed by the Karnataka Appellate Authority. While taking S Palaiah and his office assistant (both present in court) to task, Justice S N Sathyanarayana took serious exception to the exploitation of the general public by the officials of the revenue department. The judge ordered Palaiah to submit on Friday the affidavit containing details of pending applications seeking conversion of land.
Observing that only powerful people are successful in getting conversion of their lands at revenue offices, the judge wondered whether there is a difference between people sitting in front of temples...and the revenue officials. The judge also criticised the lavish lifestyle of the officials while pointing out that they cannot lead such a life only by drawing their salary. Petitioner Mangilal of Bannerghatta had moved the court with regard to “inaction” on the part of revenue officials in considering his request for conversion of his 2.5 acre land in Devanahalli.