CM defies court, gives site to MLA Not only allots site to M Narayanaswamy under 'G' category but also orders the BDA to amalgamate an adjoining plot, which had been allotted to another person Suchith.Kidiyoor @timesgroup.com http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/MIRRORNEW/navigator.asp?Daily=BGMIR&showST=true&login=default&pub=MM
The CM's gesture, according to political and bureaucratic circles, is a return gift to the MLA from Bangarpet for two reasons: first, for resigning from the Congress and joining the BJP. Secondly, for winning the subsequent bypoll on a BJP ticket. According to documents accessed by Bangalore Mirror, Narayanaswamy was allotted a site (no 5M-604) in OMBR Layout by the BDA under the CM's discretionary quota on June 9 this year. This came as a shocker to BDA officials as the CM had on November 16 last year announced that he would not give sites under the discretionary quota after he drew flak for allotting a site in the upscale RMV Extension to his son, B Y Raghavendra, who is an MP. In fact, the site was given to Raghavendra for a paltry Rs eight lakh when the prevailing market rate was around Rs two crore. Also, he had announced sites for the Indian cricket team for winning the World Cup. Subsequently, the High Court of Karnataka came down heavily on his government for bypassing thousands of ordinary citizens while allotting sites to influential persons. It is in this background that Narayanaswamy has got a site. Not content with that, the MLA submitted another petition stating that he wanted a neighbouring plot (site no 5M 606), measuring 2040 sq ft, to be amalgamated with the allotted site. At that time, site no 5M 606 had been allotted to a person named Sohail Sharief. "Despite being aware that the site had been allotted to someone else, the CM sent a directive to the BDA stating that the amalgamation should be done and the dimension of the site should be 50x80," sources told Bangalore Mirror. Armed with the CM's directive, the MLA went to the BDA and directed them to allot another site to Sohail Sharief and transfer his 2,040 sq ft of land to him. However, activists are keeping an eye on the developments. According to RTI activist Shivkumar, "Going by the CM's directive of amalgamating two sites, the total area of sites 5M-604 and 5M-606 would be 387 sq mts. But this is against the rules as the MLA is entitled to only 360 sq mts of land. Despite this, the CM approved the file." When contacted, officials attached to the CM's secretariat maintained that no new allotment has been made. Their version is: "A site for the MLA was announced in Anjanapura Layout, but the location has changed now." However, they refused to comment on the goahead given for the amalgamation. When contacted, Narayanaswamy said, "I do not want to comment." |
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