MUDA 50:50 scheme: Karnataka govt orders cancellation of 1,100 site allotments worth Rs 2,000 crore

Bengaluru, Aug 19 (IANS)

The Karnataka government on Wednesday has ordered the cancellation of around 1,100 alternative site allotments made by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) under the controversial 50:50 scheme, with the sites estimated to be worth more than Rs 2,000 crore.

The Urban Development Department has directed authorities to cancel allotment orders issued in violation of the government's March 14, 2023 directive and initiate steps to reclaim the sites already allotted.

The order, issued by Under Secretary Latha K. on behalf of the Secretary, Urban Development Department, has been communicated to the Deputy Commissioner and President of MUDA, Commissioner of Urban Development Authorities and Urban and Rural Planning Commissionerate, Director of the Directorate of Municipal Administration and Commissioner of MUDA.

The department has directed the concerned authorities to submit an implementation report to the government immediately and warned that action would be initiated under the law in case of non-compliance.

According to the order, allotment orders issued in violation of the March 14, 2023 government directive will be cancelled.

Where sale deeds have already been registered, the authorities have been directed to challenge them through civil suits and take steps to reclaim the sites.

In cases where sale deeds have not yet been issued, MUDA has been barred from executing fresh sale deeds until the government issues clear guidelines.

For sites where sale deeds have already been executed at sub-registrar offices, the concerned city corporation, Mysuru City Corporation, municipalities and gram panchayats have been instructed to halt the issuance of khatas.

Existing khatas are also to be cancelled in accordance with the Karnataka City Corporations Act, 1976, the Karnataka Municipalities Act and the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act, 1993, the order stated.

The government has outlined a two-phase process for reviewing the 50:50 site allotments.

In the first phase, allotments made after March 14, 2023, in violation of government rules and directions will be cancelled.

In the second phase, allotments made before March 14, 2023, will be scrutinised for irregularities. Further action will be taken if violations are detected.

Officials have been directed to submit an immediate compliance report to the government. The department has also warned that officials could face action if they fail to implement the directions.

Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah said the government's decision followed the recommendations of the inquiry commission and the report of a high-level technical committee.

The order comes amid controversy surrounding MUDA's 50:50 scheme, under which alternative sites were allotted to landowners in lieu of land acquired for development.

RTI activist and complainant in the MUDA case, Snehamayi Krishna, welcomed the government's decision, describing it as a major victory in his campaign against alleged irregularities in MUDA.

“There has been a major victory in the MUDA scam. I had said that all the sites allotted under the 50:50 ratio would eventually return to MUDA and that I would continue my fight until that happened,” he said.

Snehamayi Krishna said the government had issued an official order to reclaim around 1,100 sites valued at more than Rs 2,000 crore.

He thanked media organisations, well-wishers and others who had supported his campaign directly or indirectly.

“I sincerely thank all the media persons and well-wishers who extended their full support to my fight, as well as everyone who supported me directly or indirectly,” he said.

IANS

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Source: IANS