The Deccan Herald 06.10.2010
BDA-formed layout denotified
Bangalore, Oct 5, DHNS
In an act, perhaps first of its kind, the state government has denotified an entire block in a layout formed by the Bangalore Development Authority.
Sight of a JCB or a government vehicle scares some 80-odd site owners in First Block, Second Phase, Sixth Stage at Arekere, BTM Layout. And the reason for denotification? The government feels that the allottees have not constructed houses even after providing basic amenities spending crores of rupees.
The Bangalore Development Authority had issued notification for acquisition of lands in survey no. 79 and 80/1 of Arakere in 1990. Majority of the sites formed were of the dimension 20x30 feet and 30x40 feet. The corner sites were auctioned as recently as September 2007. Buildings are coming in the layout gradually and some have planned to lay foundation during the Dasara. The BDA, in its letter to the Urban Development Department has recommended denotification since the allottees have not constructed houses.
However, the government, in its denotification order has ‘returned’ the area to the owner, Hanumappa. The site owners came to know of the fact only when Hanumappa brought earth movers to ‘develop’ the area.
Perplexing
The denotification order in itself is perplexing. While the BDA letter mentions the owner of survey no. 80/1 as Hanumappa Reddy, the denotification order shows the name as Hanumappa. It also says that the order has been made in favour of one H Krishna Reddy and mentions the location as kasaba hobli instead of Begur hobli.
However, people who dreamt of having their own roof are feeling cheated. “I purchased a BDA site because of the trust I reposed in the government agency. But the denotification is nothing by a dacoity by state-run institution,” said Nagarathna, a site owner, fighting back tears.
She claimed that she had to sell her jewellery and buy the site. The site owners have decided to launch a stir against the denotification.
BDA clarification
BDA Commissioner Bharatlal Meena said the Authority had formed a layout by acquiring 3.26 acres in survey no. 80/1. He said the BDA had little role and the denotification decision is taken at the higher levels of the government.
