Ban on Registration of Revenue Sites Around B’lore?

BANGALORE: The government is planning to stop registration of revenue sites/houses in green and non-green belt areas around Bangalore, said Revenue Minister V Srinivasa Prasad.

Replying to a debate on the demands of the Revenue Department in the Assembly on Thursday, he assured the members that his department will not allow illegal layouts to come up on revenue land around the city.

Earlier, members brought to the notice of the minister that layouts are mushrooming on revenue land and that registration of properties was taking place at sub-registrar offices without verifying the required documents.

Several members alleged that the offices of sub-registrars have become dens of corruption and no property is registered without paying money to officials. JD(S) floor leader H D Kumaraswamy alleged that revenue and gomala lands had been sold to some individuals and registered at sub-registrar’s offices. Devanahalli MLA Nagaraj said irregularities in revenue sites were rampant in his constituency. Gram panchayat officials are hand in glove with land grabbers, and sub-registrar officials are also part of this scam.

Intervening, Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa said even if the Vidhana Soudha were sold, it would not come as a surprise. He wondered why the elected representatives of GPs are silent when revenue sites are coming up in their area. The government should send a strong signal by superseding such GPs. “What is the Planning Department doing and how are land conversions taking place without the government’s knowledge?” he asked. He said the government has to appoint a committee or order a judicial probe to reveal the truth. “I am optimistic that the minister will cleanse the department and whip up the officials at the Vidhana Soudha. The dignity of the government will go for a toss if no action is taken to streamline this department,” he said.

Ashok Kheny said around two acres of government land in Pillaganahalli on Bannerghatta Road had been mortgaged by a person to raise a `14-crore loan from a bank. Now the bank was ready to auction that land due to non-payment.

Replying to a volley of questions concerning his department, Prasad said he understood the magnitude of the problem and would take strong measures to set right things. Suggestions given by every member will be taken seriously and drastic changes would be brought about. A meeting with RDPR Minister H K Patil will be convened soon to work out a strategy to weed out problems, he said.