Sale deeds for slum dwellers after 30 yrs

Sale deeds for slum dwellers after 30 yrs
By G Manju Sainath, DH News Service, Bangalore:
Slum dwellers of L R Nagar and Ambedkar Nagar can now heave a sigh of relief as the BBMP has shown inclination to issue possession certificates paving way for them to obtain a khata in their name and pay tax for the property.

A house of their own was what these residents had been dreaming of for the last three decades. BBMP authorities have indicated to Koramangala Slum Development Committee that they have no objection to deliver absolute sale deed conveying title to the slum dwellers.

“I have discussed the issue with BBMP Commissioner and he too agreed that absolute sale deed can be given to the residents.

DD for Rs 8,000
Certain clarifications from law department are required to start the process. All that slum dwellers have to do is to come with a demand draft of Rs 8,000 after we issue a notice and they will be issued possession certificate,” said BBMP Joint Commissioner Puttaswamy.

Slum dwellers from various parts of the City were given land for rehabilitation at Koramanagala in 1978. Two localities - L R Nagar and Ambedkar Nagar - came up on the land. According to Koramangala Slum Development Committee, there are 1014 houses in these two areas. The lease period was extended for another ten years and after 20 years of the rehabilitation, the slum dwellers were to be given ownership of the land.

“But even after 30 years and despite possessing all the documents we haven’t got the ownership of the land. It is now time for the authorities to act and convey the owenrship” said Issac Amrutharaj, a member of Slum Development Committee.

He was, however, not available for comments over BBMP’s indication to issue sale deeds.