Addressing a news conference here, he said whenever such scandals come to light the officials claim their signatures were forged. “How will be the signatures of heads of departments are forged when the subordinate officers prepare files. The officials owe an explanation that how their signatures have been forged”.
He said the district administration had purchased 30 acres of land from the Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) to construct Government Engineering College in Hassan. But the officials have registered 19 guntas of land in the name of Boregowda, who is a non-entity. The land in question is located near the Government Engineering College. There are no records available with the Hassan Urban Development Authority (HUDA) about Boregowda; but the katha has been made in his name. Interestingly, the person who purchased this land allegedly razed down the compound wall of the Government Engineering College to build an approach road to his piece of land.
Though the college principal lodged complaint at the police station after demolishing the compound wall, the cops so far, have failed to take any action against the accused, he alleged.
Likewise, 18 guntas of land situated behind B Katehalli Gram Panhayat Office reserved for public, has been allotted to somebody. The land sharks attempted to convert the land reserved for park into sites in Vidyanagar. However, those residents saved the land by launching agitation. The elected representatives had to face the wrath of people’s representatives for any mistakes committed by officials, he pointed out.
Holding the authorities of HUDA responsible for the growth of land mafia, the MLA demanded them to create awareness among the people the need for saving government land. Need of the hour was to publicise the land reserved for parks and civic amenities to keep the people informed. This would also to protect the government land.
He said that he has already submitted details of land grabbed by miscreants to the Deputy Commissioner. The district administration would be pressurised to investigate all those cases and punish the guilty.
Member of Legislative Council Patel Shivaram and K M Rajegowda were present.