BENGALURU: A day after it was castigated by the Supreme Court over alleged irregularities in Bangalore Development Authority, the Karnataka government on Friday transferred BDA commissioner Rajesh Gowda MB and said the alternative site allotted to home minister Araga Jnanendra will be cancelled.
Additional chief secretary (energy department) G Kumar Naik has been given additional charge of the BDA commissioner's post. Responding to the SC's observations over BDA's flawed allotment of alternative sites, BDA chairperson SR Vishwanath told TOI that the allotment was an "oversight by lower-rank officials".
Vishwanath said: "We've taken the Supreme Court's directives seriously. This has happened not just in Araga Jnanendra's case, but also in allotments to common citizens. Our BDA officials have messed it up and the same has been highlighted by the Supreme Court. I have spoken to Araga Jnanendra. BDA will withdraw the site allotted to him."
Asked whether BDA will cancel the allotment of all 97 alternative sites, Vishwanath said, "As per section 11(A) of BDA Act, in case of allotment of an alternative site, the beneficiary must be given the site in the same layout or any other layout formed subsequently. In the home minister's case, RMV Extension was formed just three months prior to the formation of HSR Layout. I do not know why lower-rank officials have committed this mistake. Of the 97 cases, only 4-5 need to be reconsidered and we will place them before the board."
He said the site, originally allotted to Araga Jnanendra in HSR Layout, was never located on the BDA-acquired land. "When he brought it to the notice of BDA, we came to know the land was under litigation. He had approached BDA several times, seeking change of site and it was not addressed. When it was cleared, this mistake occurred. We will resolve it by allotting him a site in the same layout or any other one formed after HSR Layout."
Following the embarrassment at the SC, the state government and BDA were at the receiving end as opposition parties, including Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, pounced on them over corrupt practices with utter disregard for the court's rulings.
The Congress tweeted, "It is ironic that the BDA which should have made Bengaluru a global city has now been reduced to Bhrashtara ('corrupt persons') Development Authority under BJP's rule."
AAP leaders, led by retired KAS officer K Mathai, have filed a complaint with the Lokayukta and requested the authorities to register a complaint and take suitable action against Araga Jnanendra, Rajesh Gowda and others for indulging in corrupt practices and violating SC guidelines in allotment of alternative sites.
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