Date:27/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/27/stories/2006122714100500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Kumaraswamy seeks officials' help in recovering encroached land

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: If the State Government takes action against those who have encroached on government lands, it will be construed as vindictive politics. This is due to the negative publicity he and his Government have been subject to, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said here on Tuesday.

Speaking at a function organised by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), Mr. Kumaraswamy said the State Government had done considerable work in identifying encroachments. He said that the media must give credit where it is due and not simply criticise.

Mr. Kumaraswamy said that while farmers were being paid much less than market value for their lands that were being acquired, no action was being taken on recovering nearly 25,000 acres of encroached land from which the Government could earn crores of rupees. He said that cooperation from officials was needed to recover the lands. Criticising the media, the Chief Minister said that his tours to villages were not a publicity exercise.

"I go to the villages to understand the problems. Much development has happened because I have visited the villages," he said.