Karnataka - Bangalore   

Publicity scheme to ensure best returns in land auction

S. Rajendran

It is expected to be extended to other parts of the State

BANGALORE: The coalition Government in the State, which has launched what could be termed an aggressive campaign to recover the encroached land, is now working on a nationwide publicity scheme to ensure best returns in the auction of such land.

Sources in the Government told The Hindu on Sunday that based on the experience of the past few auctions of government land from October last, the prices quoted for such land were much higher than the recently notified guidance value. Yet, there was scope for higher returns, given the nature of the booming real estate market in Bangalore.

The Bangalore district revenue authorities recently launched a website providing details relating to the auction of government land. With the recovery of encroached land in other parts of the State and their auction set to commence shortly, this scheme is expected to be extended to other districts. This apart, the authorities are firming up on a proposal to launch a national-wide advertising campaign before every auction.

Minister for Revenue Jagadish Shettar said that some "operators" reportedly pegged the prices of certain pieces land being put to auction. Such pieces of land would be re-auctioned. Despite police protection, not many were participating in the auction of certain pieces of land. Outstation bidders remained in the background for various reasons and their local confidants were in the forefront. "It was the first time on Saturday that several educational institutions and outstation property developers participated in the auction in a big way". While a five-gunta plot (approximately 5,000 sq.ft.) at Jakkur near Yelahanka fetched Rs. 1 crore, there were cases in Bangalore East taluk where a 32-acre plot was bid for a mere Rs. 1.50 crore though the ruling market price was 10 times more than the amount. The credit should go to Deputy Commissioner of Bangalore Urban district M.A. Sadiq, who has been instrumental in the recovery of encroached pieces of land and putting them to auction. A massive survey was conducted in the past six months to identify the encroached land. The auction of nearly 1,000 acres of land has fetched the Government Rs. 1,080 crore which worked out on an average of Rs. 1 crore an acre.

Mr. Shettar said the Government would consider a new methodology for land auction. Of the 1,18,063 acres of government land in Bangalore urban district, 18,447 acres of revenue land had been encroached upon.

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