KSCA stadium is battleground for govt, military

KSCA stadium is battleground for govt, military
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: Many a keen cricketing battle has been fought at the KSCA Stadium, better known as the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Now, the state government and the defence authorities are locked in a battle for the stadium itself, both claiming ownership of this prime land on M G Road.
The issue came up again during the civil-military liaison conference here on Wednesday. Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa chaired the meeting, attended by top bureaucrats, including chief secretary S V Ranganath, and senior defence officials.
Defence officials urged the government to enter into a lease agreement with them or give them alternative land elsewhere. But, state bureaucrats dismissed their claim, saying the defence authorities had no title deed. The state’s contention: “Show the records to prove your claim.’’
In 2004, the then revenue secretary S M Jaamdar had found that defence authorities had no title and hence it belonged to the state government. Ranganath said the government would check if it’s possible to give alternative land and revenue secretary G S Narayanaswamy would discuss this with defence top brass within a month.
About 40 issues, ranging from encroachments to water shortage to bird hazard at airfields, were discussed. The CM iterated the government’s commitment to resolve them on priority and thanked defence forces for their support in rescue and relief operations in during the recent floods.
Brigadier P S Ravindra Nath, commander, Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area, said most issues had been pending for a very long time and said they were ready to clear encroachments on defence land in Ulsoor.
ENCROACHMENTS
Defence authorities asked for 140 acres, either in Bangalore or in Belgaum, as one-time settlement for encroachment of land across the state.
The chief secretary said no land was available in Bangalore and suggested Belgaum or Kolar.
NODAL OFFICERS
BBMP commissioner Bharat Lal Meena said they required 46 acres of defence land for several developmental projects.
The land is for road widening in various places, including Hosur Road, near HAL and Bellary Road. Nodal officers from both sides would meet at least once a month to take decisions.
‘HOUSE TAX EXEMPTION’
According to the defence ministry, the chief secretary has assured that taxation laws would be amended to exempt house tax for defence personnel and ex-servicemen.
Ranganath also directed BWSSB and BBMP authorities to resolve issues pertaining to water scarcity in military stations in the city, construct overhead footbridges across heavy traffic roads dividing defence installations and to follow up the proposal to create an underground parking lot at Manekshaw Parade Grounds.
WELFARE MEASURES
State officials met the Rajya Sainik Board to discuss welfare measures for defence personnel
Revision of Karnataka Civil Services Rules in favour of reemployed ex-servicemen in state government departments
Exemption of house tax for exservicemen and widows of exservicemen
Enhancement of annual relief grant, death relief grant, marriage grant for daughters of battle casualties
Approval of funds for
modernizing Rajya Sainik Board
and Zilla Sainik Board offices.