Visit to Puttenahalli opens a can of worms

HDK warns land sharks
Visit to Puttenahalli opens a can of worms
The Times of India

Bangalore: File criminal cases against the land mafia who entice unsuspecting citizens into buying and constructing houses atop tankbeds, lake-beds, storm water drains. Thus declared CM H D Kumaraswamy, on Sunday.

The dictum was inspired by a visit to Puttenahalli, to review progress made on development work, and instruct officials to mercilessly demolish encroachments on drains. A change of heart came about when a woman narrated how she came to live near Sarakki tank. Later at the inauguration of J P Park in Jalahalli, he revealed, “The woman approached me and said she had a small house there. Her husband had left her and she had two small children and earns Rs 5000. She simply said — Some people showed me land records and said I could construct on this rajakaluve. I took a loan from Corporation Bank and built this small house. If you demolish this, where will I go?’ When she stood before me piteously I didn’t know what to do. She is just one example of exploitation.’’

Kumaraswamy also assured implementing officials that he would protect them from yielding to political pressure. He acknowledged that exploitation of land was happening with the connivance of politicians, MLAs and officials themselves. For a backgrounder, the main reason for last year’s deluge, when CMC areas were flooded with sewage and rainwater, was illegal constructions atop lake beds. Officials had been directed to demolish them. However progress on this front had been tardy, threatening a repeat of last year when it rains.

‘Let poor afford sites’
Kumaraswamy suggested that while rates of sites of higher dimensions like 60 X 80 and above could be hiked, those of 20 X 30 should be reduced for the benefit of those earning Rs 5,000 and below. “The rich can afford the hikes. Coolies, labourers, auto drivers can’t afford land at the present rates, whereas those coming in from other cities to settle down, probably can.’’