BDA can demolish illegal buildings, says Krishna

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, JULY 5. The Chief Minister, Mr. S.M. Krishna, has made it clear that the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is well within its powers to take action against unauthorised constructions.

The matter came up informally at Thursday's Cabinet meeting following a remark made by the Bangalore Mayor, Ms. Prema Cariappa, that compensation be given to persons whose buildings were demolished by the BDA.

Mr. Krishna reportedly made it clear that the BDA was well within the legal framework to take action against unauthorised constructions on BDA lands.

The Minister of State for Information and Publicity, Prof. B.K. Chandrashekar, said that the Cabinet had decided to release Rs. 10.20 crores for the Navalgund City Drinking Water Project.

Briefing the Press about the Cabinet meeting, he said that it decided to sanction 11,999 sq.ft. of land in Shivajinagar, Bangalore, to the Jamaiti-ul-Quarishi Merchants' Association for construction of a school. It would be given at the rate of Rs. 700 per sq.ft. The land is located on 8th Cross, near Slaughterhouse, Shivajinagar.

The Cabinet decided to extend concessions to Applicom India Ltd. at Attibele, near Bangalore, in matters of entry tax, prefabricated materials and sub-assemblies for five years. The company had invested Rs. 400 crores, and the concessions were being given keeping in with the new industrial policy.

The Cabinet also sanctioned Rs. 19 crores for an underground drain project in Gangavathi, and the work would be taken up by the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board. While the Government would provide 30 per cent of the amount, the city municipality would provide 20 per cent and the balance would be raised from financial institutions.

Regarding the controversy over extending invitations to members of the Legislative Council and Rajya Sabha from the State to government functions, it was decided that an MLC should select a taluk of his/her choice in his/her districts, and the MPs (Rajya Sabha) would select a district of their choice which would serve as ``nodal'' taluks and districts. The members concerned would be invited to the functions in their respective nodal places.

The Cabinet discussed in detail the move to make Jog Falls a tourist centre, and decided to take measures to make it more attractive to tourists, and provide infrastructure. A decision on forming a Jog Falls development authority or a corporation for implementing the measures was not taken.

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Section  : Southern States
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