The much-debated Karnataka Land Revenue (Second Amendment) Bill, 2012 for regularisation of unauthorised houses built on revenue land or encroached government land in urban areas was unanimously passed in the Assembly on Monday. Houses built prior to January 2, 2012 will be covered under this scheme.
The Bill, which was passed in the Belgaum Session last year during the previous BJP government’s rule, was rejected by Governor H R Bhardwaj contending that “this kind of unabated regularisation of unauthorised construction in government land will encourage land grabbers. This amendment does not serve any public good or social cause; on the other hand it may lead to illegal grabbing of government land”.
The government later withdrew the bill and made changes suggested by the Governor. Then the bill, known as the Akrama-Sakrama Bill, was sent to the Governor pending approval of the House.
Revenue Minister V Srinivasa Prasad who tabled the revised bill, said the applicant has to submit proof of having constructed the house prior to January 1, 2012. No vacant land would be regularised.
The plinth area of a house not exceeding 20 X 30 feet would be regularised.
The Minister said houses constructed within 18 km radius of BBMP, 10 km within the cities of Belgaum, Gulbarga, Hubli-Dharwad, Mangalore and Mysore, 5 km within all city municipalities and 3 km within town municipal councils and town panchayats, would be regularised.
He said people who have already constructed houses on government land in urban areas have to submit applications within a period specified by the government along with the fee for regularisation of their dwellings.
“This scheme is not applicable if the applicant owns a building or site within the urban area and also if any family member of the applicant has more than one house either in his name or of his family member.”