MYSORE: The Mysore Urban Development Authority has identified some 800 acres on the outskirts of the city to develop layouts. It has approached the state government seeking its approval to partner with the landowners for the development sites.

MUDA chairman L Nagendra on Monday asked the district minister S A Ramdas to get the approval. Some 18,000 sites can be developed in the area identified and the farmers have agreed to partner with the urban body, he said at the distribution of sites to noted persons under 'H' category.

Saddled with clearing applications seeking sites, the civic body has reached out to the farming community to part with their landholding and get sites in return instead of cash compensation. It works out on 60:40 basis with MUDA getting 60 per cent of the developed sites while the farmers will get the rest. The project had run into trouble six months ago when MUDA officials went to seek land from the farmers, who were upset with them given the delay on settlement of land compensation. There are 82,881 applications pending with it.

According to Nagendra, MUDA has okayed the project to partner with the farming community on August 4. In all, 770 acres have been identified in four villages including Ballahalli and Kerghalli. The MUDA chief said the government has not approved its plans to develop four new layouts where 18,000 sites can be developed and asked the minister to get it cleared.

Prominent personalities given sites

Meanwhile, 71 sites were distributed to noted persons under 'H' category in newly-developed Lalbahadur Shastry Nagar and Shantaveri Gopalgowda Nagar by district minister S A Ramdas. Besides, three freedom fighters T Puttanna, H Javaregowda and Amruthamma were allotted 40 ft X 60 ft sites. While MUDA recognized freedom fighters and selected them for the sites, the beneficiaries of 'H' category sites are selected after vetting the applications received.

In all, 71 were allotted sites under 'H' category. There were 902 applicants who applied following a notification. 'H' category sites are reserved for persons who have achieved excellence and have got awards at international, national, state and district levels. MUDA has said priority was given to achievements at international and national levels and residents of Mysore district were considered first. As against 53 sites of 20 ft X 30 ft dimension, there were 47 applications while 296 applied for 50 ft X 80 ft sites where there are two such sites.

The highest number of applications (331) were received for 40 ft X 60 ft. There are 20 40 ft X 60 ft sites. Prominent among the recipients of 'H' category sites are ace wildlife photographer S Thippeswamy, yoga guru Raghavendra Pai and danseuse Tulasi Ramachandra.