MYSORE: Former mayors Narayan, Anantha, Maniraju and Arif Husain have taken exception to the decision of the Mysore City Corporation to lease out 160 acres of Sewage Farm land to Pinjrapole Society to grow Napier grass.

On June 20 last, the society wrote to the corporation to lease out the land to grow Napier grass to feed 1,000 cattle. Honouring its plea, the corporation agreed to lease out the land for five years from May 1 with a condition that the society should pay Rs. 1.50 lakh every year.

Directive

The corporation also directed the society to cultivate only Napier grass on the land to feed its animals. The corporation stated that the society had no right over the coconut grove in the area and should protect Sewage Farm. In case people wanted to make use of the grass, the society could sell it at Rs. 3.10 a kg.

However, the former mayors have objected to the decision of the corporation as they are apprehensive of vested interests claiming their right over the land in the future in view of the increasing land price in and around Mysore.

Turned down

Addressing presspersons here on Wednesday, Mr. Narayan said that it was not the first time that the society had approached the corporation to the lease the land and its appeals had been turned down in public interest. "Land mafia in and around Mysore is active and eying on every possible stretch of land. The vested interests may claim their right over the leased land in the future, and it will be difficult for the corporation to reclaim the land," he said.

He said that the corporation was not in a position to reclaim the land it had leased out to the Mysore Musical Association near Hotel Sandesh, Haryana Handloom and Bahusar Association at Subbarayanakere.

Mr. Ananth sought to know what forced the administrator to lease out the land to the society when the elected body had rejected its pleas in the past.

He said the corporation was making a profit of Rs. 24 lakh from maintaining Sewage Farm and grass was being supplied to the society without any problem.

In view of this, there was no reason for the corporation to lease out the land for only Rs. 1.50 lakh. Land mafia was keen on getting that land as one acre of land would fetch Rs. 6 crore in that area, he said.

Mr. Narayan sought to know the purpose behind leasing the land when the corporation was giving the society grass. He alleged that giving in to political pressure, the administrator had decided in favour of the society.

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