BANGALORE: The four-day auction of lands recovered from encroachers drew to a close here on Saturday, with 60 acres that came under the hammer fetching only Rs. 14.21 crore.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist), Dalit Sangaharsha Samiti and other organisations continued their protest for the second day and finally called it off after Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy promised a meeting with them on May 31.

About 10 acres of land in survey no. 10 at Avarehalli village in Dasanapura hobli went for a mere Rs. 10 lakh when the Government expected Rs. 10 crore. Nine acres in survey no. 78 at Ravathanhalli in Dasanapura hobli went for Rs. 20 lakh when the price expected was Rs. 9 crore. Both blocks went to Ramesh Babu.

Some 15 acres in survey no. 77 at Avarehalli village in Dasanapura hobli and 6.07 acres in survey no. 109 at Hunigere in Dasanapura hobli did not find bidders. Auction of two other blocks at Bettanagere (19.20 acres) and Bommashettyhalli (10.24 acres) in Dasanapura hobli has been stayed by the High Court.

Officials at the Prevention of Unauthorised Construction Cell said that all lands would be re-auctioned as they had failed to meet the expectations. On the demand by several organisations that the auctions be called off and lands be allocated for public use, officials said that auction of lands was not a new phenomenon.

"We have been auctioning lands recovered from encroachment since April 7, 2005. Lands are being set aside for public purposes and about 570 acres have been set aside for housing agencies," an official said.

In this phase of auctions, the State Government auctioned 183 acres for a total of Rs. 62.29 crore. A considerable section of the lands is set for re-auction as the bids for them do not match the Government expectations.

The State Government plans to put up 413 acres for auction beginning May 29 up to June 8.

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