Karnataka - Gulbarga   

`Notice to BDA on stray sites is a sign of victory'

Special Correspondent

High Court admits petition from Gulbarga farmers' forum

GULBARGA: The Gulbarga District Raitha Horata Samithi has termed the admission of a public interest litigation petition filed by it in the Karnataka High Court and the order of notice to the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Government on the allotment of the stray sites under the Chief Minister's discretionary quota when N. Dharam Singh was at the helm of affairs as a sign of victory in its struggle against the allotment of sites to undeserving persons.

Kedarlingaiah Hiremath, samithi president, told presspersons here on Friday that a Division Bench of Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph and Justice Manjula Chellur admitted the petition and ordered emergent notices to the two parties.

Mr. Hiremath said during the tenure of Mr. Dharam Singh 420 sites were recommended for allotment to MLAs, MPs, MLCs, former Ministers, legislators, and others in alleged violation of norms and guidelines prescribed by the Government. Most of the allottees had filed false affidavits saying they did not own sites or property at the time of allotment, he said.

When pointed out that the BDA had clarified that only 192 persons were allotted sites under the Chief Minister's discretionary quota, Mr. Hiremath claimed that although the BDA had allotted only 192 sites, the remaining applications of the 420 cleared by the then Chief Minister are pending with the BDA. They are also likely to be cleared. These applicants could not be allotted sites as there are no stray sites in the areas where they have sought for sites. He alleged that stray sites were allotted under benami names, and said the samithi in its application before the High Court has sought an inquiry into it and also cancellation of all allotments.

Interest waiver

Welcoming the statement of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy that the Government will protect the interests of farmers, Mr. Hiremath said because of technical flaw committed by the previous Government, farmers could not get the full benefit of the interest waiver scheme. He wanted the new Government to extend the last date till June 30.

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