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.