BENGALURU: The Bettahalasur Gram Panchayat, which recently passed a resolution to lease out 5 acres to a prominent real estate company for 99 years, has now decided to cancel the resolution following a severe backlash from the villagers.
The GP passed a resolution on July 20, 2026 to lease out the land to the real estate group, which already owns land in the vicinity, to develop a plant nursery. But villagers, who learnt about the development, protested. The GP held a discussion on July 29, and decided to withdraw the resolution by convening a meeting on Monday (August 3).
Jeerge Tontadarya, a villager, said that on villagers’ request, GP president Hemavathi Nagaraj read out the subjects of the meeting that also included the leasing of the land, which is worth over Rs 100 crore. “The permission was sought to develop a plant nursery. As villagers objected and GP’s move courted a controversy, there is talk now of scrapping the decision,” he said.
Another villager Chandrashekhar said the real estate group took hold of Majiredinne Hosahalli, which is over 300 years old and had been abandoned after a plague outbreak. The village spreads across 2.5 acres. In exchange, the real estate company registered 5 acres under Survey No. 223/3 at Tarahunise village in the name of Bettahalasur GP.
‘Opposition is raking up issue unnecessarily’
“These transfers were done mutually. Now, the same land was sought for lease,” Chandrashekhar added.
Hemavathi Nagaraj told TNSE that the opposition is raking up the issue unnecessarily. “The Gram Panchayat had not intended to allow any project without the knowledge of all panchayat members. Earlier, the opposition brought in a no-confidence motion and failed. Now, they want to make this an issue.
The land was sought for a nursery, and the GP only passed the resolution. The files will have to be sent to the executive officer and from there to zilla panchayat and the government, which will take the final decision. As the opposition wants to make a mountain out of a molehill, a decision has been taken to cancel the resolution,” she said.
Apart from this particular real estate company, two other groups had also approached the GP for taking the land on lease. But in this particular instance, the Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) failed to appraise the 99-year lease clause. “I also overlooked the mistake and gave my thumb impression. Now we will cancel the request,” she said.
Panchayat Development Officer Lokanath said that many think the GP has powers to give away the land for lease, but, in reality, it is the government that has to decide. “We have to follow the guidelines. Before the process, the matter has to come before the body (GP). On August 3, a meeting will be called and in writing, the request for lease will be rejected.”