The Deccan Chronicle 12.08.2010
Land grab near KPCC office?Aug. 11: Vasantnagar corporator Katta Jagadish Naidu has launched a fight with the help of the BBMP legal section against some people who have allegedly encroached on property worth Rs 250 crore in his ward.
While BBMP struggles to get back property under litigation, 4.33 acres of prime property, near the KPCC office at Millers’ Tank bed road, perpendicular to Queens Road, has been encroached upon by Mr Ramaiah and a Congress leader causing huge loss, he alleged. “Land measuring 3.29 acres on survey number 18 in Bilakkahalli village (Millers Tank bed) has been allegedly encroached upon by Mr Ramaiah. The BBMP’s struggle to get it back has been unsuccessful due to political pressure. Another 1.04 acres of land on survey number 16 has also been allegedly encroached upon,” he added.
According to documents available with Deccan Chronicle, Shantinagar MLA N.A. Harris had allegedly secured 12,500 sq. feet of land at survey number 324 registered in favour of Nalpad estates and projects.
Meanwhile, according to the letter written by the then principal secretary of urban development department, K. Jothiramalingam in 2009 to the then BBMP commissioner Bharat Lal Meena, it was stated that properties bearing number 319/1, 320 to 324 and 327 were BBMP properties. He had also demanded action against officials who had issued the khatas in an illegal manner.
Since the property registered in the name of Mr Harris falls under BBMP jurisdiction, questions have been raised on whether the property was actually purchased by Mr Harris. When Mr Harris sought a power connection for his property (number 324), the Bescom had written a letter to the BBMP to ascertain if the property was encroached upon and whether the power connection could be given.
The Bescom had sought this clarification as some properties on Millers Tank Bund Road were under litigation and some were BBMP properties.Earlier, city incharge and BWSSB minister Katta Subramanya Naidu had written a letter to the Chief Minister stating that about 18 acres of government land has been encroached upon by land sharks in collusion with BBMP authorities.
