About Rs 50,000 Crore government land encroached in Karnataka

Bangalore, Nov 29 (UNI) More than 41,000 acres of government land, worth about Rs 50,000 Crore had been encroached in Karnataka, Joint Legislature Committee on Land Encroachments in Bangalore Urban district Chairmen A T Ramaswamy said today.

Speaking to newsmen after submitting the final report of the Committee to Governor Rameshwar Thakur here, he said that he has urged the Governor to an appropriate action against the land Mafia.

He said that he submitted the final report to the Governor following the dissolution of the Assembly.

He said that the report contained in detail the extent of land encroachment and names of land grabbers including VVIPs.

Encroachment of more than 41,000 acres of the government land belonging to 12 different Departments with an involvement of 45,863 persons in the land grabbing in this district alone, was detected by the Committee. The government had recovered only 8,717 acres of encroached land so far, he added.

Stating that highest land grabbing was detected in Ankekal taluk with more than 10,000 acres, he said that the Committee has a definite report on the encroachment of 12,000 acres more in and around the city. There are encroached lands which fetch more than Rs five crore per acre, he added.

"The rot and corruption that has consumed the system-both at the official and non-official levels-so huge that it is doubtful whether this alarming situation could be remedied at all," he doubted.

Mr Ramswamy said he had requested the Governor to treat this matter seriously and take necessary steps to control it.

He said he also urged to take action into the Judicial Layout scam which was detected by the Committee.

The Committee, consisting of 20 MLAs and MLCs belonging to all political parties, was formed in 2006 by JD(S)-BJP coalition government headed by Mr H D Kumaraswamy after a detailed discussion.

UNI