The State government plans to introduce an amendment to the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964, to regularise unauthorised construction of houses on government land in urban areas.
Governor H.R. Bhardwaj had earlier returned the Karnataka Land Revenue (Second Amendment) Bill, 2012, which was passed in both the Houses of the legislature during the previous BJP government’s tenure on the grounds that “the amendment does not serve any public good or social cause”.
The proposed amendment to the Bill will be in Section 94 CC, providing for grant of land in the case of unauthorised construction of houses on government land in urban areas.
Addressing presspersons here on Monday, Minister for Transport Ramalinga Reddy, who is also Bangalore Urban district in-charge Minister, said a team of advocates were studying the clarifications made by the Governor. Keeping in mind the interests of the public, the government will draft the Bill again and introduce it in the Assembly. The Bill passed during the BJP government was “not a people-friendly” one, Mr. Reddy said.
While rejecting the Bill, the Governor had referred to the task force for protection of public lands, headed by V. Balasubramanian. The report of the task force had exposed over 11 lakh acres of government land being under unauthorised occupation. He had expressed fear that “unabated regularisation of unauthorised construction on government land would no doubt directly encourage encroachment by land-grabbers”.
