IN PROTEST: Members of Koramangala Welfare Association taking out a procession in Bangalore on Monday. — Photo: K. Murali Kumar

Bangalore: Residents of Koramangala received an assurance from Health Minister and Bangalore Urban district in-charge R. Ashok here on Monday.

"The Minister has promised us that 25 per cent of all building violations will be regularised. He also told us that a meeting with Chief Minister would be convened on Tuesday. Mayor Mumtaz Begum, corporation Commissioner K. Jairaj and other council members will be present at the meeting," Koramangala corporator B. Mohan told The Hindu.

Earlier, about 1,500 residents took out a procession from Devi Mona School Grounds in Koramangala 5th Block to the Vidhana Soudha. Representatives from the Koramangala Welfare Association submitted a memorandum to Mr. Ashok stating that the deviations should be regularised and buildings housing pharmacies and grocery shops should not be considered as commercial zones.

"We have also asked that the buildings housing information technology (IT) companies be considered under the bylaw specifically meant for such buildings. IT companies in the area contribute more than Rs. 1,000 crore to the State Exchequer," said Mr. Mohan.

"The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) has collected Rs. 9 crore as tax from residents here. We have asked that the commercial establishments be allowed to function after a penalty is collected from them," he added.

Asked about building owners actually being in the wrong, Mr. Mohan said if all buildings violating bylaws were to be demolished, there would be a war-like situation in the city.

Koramangala wore a deserted look following a good response to the call for a bandh. Most shops, banks and other business establishments remained closed. However, schools and colleges were open.

On June 29, following a High Court of Karnataka directive in November last, the BMP demolished four buildings for violating building bylaws. The protest by residents of the area comes in the wake of the recent demolition drive. The High Court has directed the BMP to demolish 103 buildings, which the civic body has identified for violation of bylaws.

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