Land for developers in IT corridor!

Land for developers in IT corridor!
Deccan Herald

Former Minister and Congress MLC, Prof B K Chandrashekar, on Tuesday urged the State government to come out with details on the reasons for not allotting land to IT companies in the IT corridor of Bangalore in 2000-2001.

Former Minister and Congress MLC, Prof B K Chandrashekar, on Tuesday urged the State government to come out with details on the reasons for not allotting land to IT companies in the IT corridor of Bangalore in 2000-2001.

Most of the land in the 22-km IT corridor, between Central Silk Board junction and Whitefield, has been allotted to land developers (all non-Kannadigas). Incidentally, Mr S M Krishna was the chief minister in 2000-01. Who is responsible for allotting land to land developers instead of IT companies, Prof Chandrashekar asked, speaking to Deccan Herald.

Bhoomi for Bangalore

Urging the government to implement the Bhoomi project (computerisation of land records) in Bangalore and areas adjoining the City, Prof Chandrashekar said this was essential to expose fraudulent transactions.

On JD (S) national President H D Deve Gowda’s allegations that Infosys purchased land at subsidised rates, he said there was no truth in his statement. In fact, in 2000-01, Infosys offered to purchase land in Bellandur area at Rs 54 lakh per acre though the prevailing market rate was much less. But the land was not allotted to them, he said.

Countering Mr Gowda’s allegations that former chief minister S M Krishna and his aides were using the name of Infosys Chief Mentor N R Narayana Murthy to destabilise the coalition government in the State, Prof Chandrashekar said Mr Gowda was unnecessarily dragging Mr Murthy’s name. On Chief Minister Dharam Singh maintaining silence on Mr Gowda’s allegations, he said the chief minister’s silence indicated that he did not approve of Mr Gowda’s allegations.

On Mr Gowda urging Industries Minister P G R Sindhia to set up a committee to provide details on the extent of land allotted to various IT companies, he said he had requested the minister to disclose details on land allotted to various companies during the last six to eight months. Land should be allotted to industry giving due consideration to the land required for housing and civic amenities. Until the committee submits its report, no land should be allotted to any industry, he added.

Violation of by-law

On the demolition of buildings in Koramangala for building by-law violations, he said that none, including politicians and elite, should be spared for violations. Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) engineers too should be pulled up for approving by-law violations.

Prof Chandrashekar was also in favour of reviving the Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF) with certain modifications.

Even President A P J Abdul Kalam, in his address to the State legislature, highlighted the importance of public-private partnership, he said.