MYSORE: The functioning of Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) came under flak at a review meeting held here on Tuesday and the officials were directed to "improve or pack up".

Minister for Cooperation G.T. Deve Gowda, who is also in charge of Mysore district, took exception to the performance of the two bodies and set a deadline of April 15 for the officials to show positive results failing which he cautioned them of stern action.

The meeting, which was attended by other local MLAs, took note of the fact that the MUDA had not distributed sites since a long time. It was pointed out that over 1.5 lakh aspirants were in the waiting list.

The site distribution process should be accelerated and the pending list reduced by April 15, the Minister said.

Mr. Deve Gowda said the MLAs had resolved that they would not give room for politics in issues concerning development of Mysore. "We have decided to remain united and take decisions in the interest of the city and not allow difference of opinion or party affiliations to hamper development," Mr. Deve Gowda said.

When questioned about the growing disenchantment among people about the increase in private players in land development, Mr. Deve Gowda said private developers had been performing better than the MUDA and there was no harm as long as they met the stringent terms and conditions stipulated by the MUDA.

At the same time, one could not play down its role considering that nearly 1.5 lakh aspirants were awaiting site distribution.

In this context, Mr. Deve Gowda said he had sought an amendment to the law to discourage investment and speculation on land.

"I have discussed the issue with the Chief Minister and have urged him to amend the law to make it feasible for the authorities to recover the sites, which is kept vacant for more than a few years. These site could then be allotted afresh to those who are in need of land to build houses and this will help curtail investment in sites," Mr. Deve Gowda said.

Compensating farmers

On the issue of compensating farmers whose land was being acquired by the MUDA, Mr. Deve Gowda mooted the idea of replicating the experiment in Surat and Ahmedabad where the local authorities procured land from farmers, developed it and handed over 40 per cent to the land owners or farmers and distributed the rest.

"Our officials have visited the two cities to know about the process and we will take a decision on it in due course," said Mr. Deve Gowda.

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