BCC cancels PIDs of 31 unauthorised buildings, probes official nexus

Belagavi: In a crackdown on irregular property registrations, the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) has cancelled Property Identification Numbers (PIDs) issued to 31 unauthorised buildings in the city, triggering concern among residents of similar developments.BCC commissioner Kartik M issued two orders on April 24, cancelling 17 PIDs in one case and 14 in another. All the properties are flats in two apartment complexes located in Ward No. 9, constructed on lands purchased through Rs 100 stamp paper agreements without valid or registered land records.The action has heightened anxiety among owners of buildings raised on unregistered sites who allegedly obtained PIDs in collusion with civic officials. Both apartment complexes fall under the Belagavi South Assembly constituency, represented by BJP MLA Abhay Patil.While the move is being seen as a significant step to address irregularities in PID issuance, it has also raised questions about whether similar action will be taken across the city's 58 wards, where several such unauthorised constructions are believed to exist. Sources said a large number of suspected cases are concentrated in the Belagavi North Assembly constituency, represented by Congress MLA Asif Sait.Speaking to TOI, Kartik M said the decision was based on an inquiry report confirming the buildings were unauthorised. "An inquiry against the officials concerned has also been initiated," he said.The probe was conducted by Priyanka Vinayak during her tenure as South division commissioner. The inspection found that all 31 properties were located within the buffer zone of a drain, making them ineligible for PID allotment. The report fixed responsibility on several officials, including former divisional commissioner Dharmanath Kori, assistant revenue officer Parshuram Metri, revenue inspector Priya Lakshmipur and bill collector Prakash Seth Sanadi.At a revenue department review meeting, revenue deputy commissioner Sidhu Hulloli acknowledged the scam and named the officials involved, stating that they had admitted their role in the issuance of the PIDs.