BENGALURU: THE Lokayukta has directed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to take immediate steps to put shopping complex constructed at Jayanagar fourth block in city to good use, so that it may generate income for the civic body.
“The complex is kept idle for more than two years as the tenants/occupants of the old building are refusing to shift to the new building. The BBMP Commissioner should issue notice to all tenants/occupants for the purpose of demolishing old building. Forfeit the rights of those not willing to shift to the new premises. It is open to the BBMP to allot the space to some other persons in accordance with the guidelines by the state government,” Lokayukta ordered.
Social activist Ravi Krishna Reddy had earlier filed a complaint with Lokayukta that some vegetable vendors were not ready to shift to the newly constructed building temporarily for various reasons. Taking serious note of it, the Lokayukta said: “The BBMP may find out alternative tenants to occupy the building, if they are not willing to shift.”
The Lokayukta further said that such tenants will have to vacate the premises as and when the BBMP takes steps to vacate such tenants. “If notice has already been served, action should be taken to shift them,” the Lokayukta said.
‘Wait for possession not justified’
The BBMP Commissioner informed the Lokayukta that since the Council has to take a decision, he cannot immediately take possession of the property and building.However, Lokayukta said: “I do not find any justification to wait for the decision of the Council to take possession of the property along with the building, as the same is handed over to the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) only for the purpose of construction of four blocks. Out of four blocks, BDA has constructed only one block and has requested to take the possession of the same, subject to payment of Rs 56.63 crores which was spent for construction. There may be some dispute with regard to the quantum of the amount payable towards the cost of the construction. The BBMP cannot refuse to take possession of the property and the building on the ground that it has to be approved by the Council in its proceedings.”
The BDA has informed the BBMP Commissioner that it is not able to construct the remaining three blocks as it is not sound financially. It has requested the civic body to take back the possession of the property in question, including the building constructed by them, with a request to pay a sum of Rs 56.63 crore spent by it.