Lokayukta Shivaraj Patil has promised to look into the alleged violation of norms in the acquisition of 2,200 acres of land by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) on the outskirts of Gulbarga, on Aland Road.
He has asked the former president of the Hyderabad Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry Umakant Nigudgi to provide details of the acquisition for follow-up action.
Responding to a plea by Mr. Nigudgi at the meeting organised by the Lokayukta for the general public and students on corruption here on Tuesday,
Mr. Patil said the State Government had made a policy decision that fertile land would not be acquired by the KIADB. If details were provided, the Lokayukta would initiate follow-up action soon, he said.
Earlier, Mr. Nigudgi said the authorities had violated the norms while issuing notices to acquire 2,200 acres of agricultural land for the KIADB. He said that before the acquisition of land, gram sabhas should be mandatorily called to hear the views of the people. Also, environmental clearance should be obtained prior to the acquisition.
He urged the Lokayukta to intervene in the matter.
Replying to suggestions made by social activist Malleshappa Yevoor, the Lokayukta said a decision had been taken that, henceforth, no complaint filed before the Lokayukta would be rejected on technical grounds.
Instead, those complaints that did not come under the purview of the Lokayukta would be referred to the departments concerned.
Suggestions would also be made to the complainant to seek other measures available to get redressal, he said.
The former member of the State Backward Classes Commission Thippannappa Kamakanur made a plea to improve the basic amenities in the city and improve facilities in government-run hostels in the district.
