Hitting out at former CM HD Kumaraswamy, Siddaramaiah alleged that he acquired industrial site but failed to start industry since 1985.
Published Jul 27, 2024 | 9:35 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 27, 2024 | 9:35 AM
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah alleged illegal land and site encroachment by JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda's family on Friday. (Supplied)
Taking a dig at JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda’s family, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah accused Deve Gowda and his son, Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries, HD Kumaraswamy of illegally encroaching the sites and lands in Bengaluru and Mysuru.
In a series of illegal land encroachment allegations against Deve Gowda’s family, CM Siddaramaiah alleged that Deve Gowda’s family have illegally acquired 48 sites in Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). Kumaraswamy got the industrial site in 1985, but the CM alleged that instead of setting up industry, he sought alternate site, and illegally acquired over 200 acres of land near Bidadi in Bengaluru.
While making allegations against the former chief minister and Union Minister Kumaraswamy, the Chief Minister furnished several official documents pertaining to Kumaraswamy seeking alternative lands for the allotted industrial site and possession letter for the industrial site allotted in 1985.
Pointing at these allegations on Deve Gowda’s family including Kumaraswamy, the Chief Minister questioned the moral rights of the Union Minister Kumaraswamy questioning him on the alleged irregularities in the MUDA.
It is also important to note that CM Siddaramaiah and his family are being accused of forging documents and illegally getting 14 sites as compensation from the MUDA for reportedly encroaching 3.16 acres of land in Kesari village near Kasaba Hoballi in Mysuru.
Highlighting the alleged land scams of Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, CM Siddaramaiah told reporters: “I won’t talk about his family’s assets. Nobody can tell me what’s here because I don’t know how much, how deep, or how far it goes. Kumaraswamy has recently targeted me. Because Siddaramaiah’s clean image is disturbing his sleep. So, he’s started making baseless allegations.”
“Hitlerites and feudalists have joined hands. Both are targeting and roaming around. I’ve faced many such conspiracies in my lifetime,” the Chief Minister hit out at Kumaraswamy.
Pointing at the official records, CM Siddaramaiah alleged that Kumaraswamy and JD(S) MLA DC Thammanna’s family have illegally encroached over 200 acres of land near Bidadi in Bengaluru.
Pointing at the alleged land scam, Siddaramaiah said: “On 25 August, 2014, the then Assistant Commissioner Mr Siddappa wrote a letter to the Deputy Commissioner. In the letter, he had detailed about illegal encroachment of land by Kumaraswamy and his party MLA near Ketagaanahalli.”
In the letter to Bengaluru Deputy Commissioner, AC Siddappa had written: “HD Kumaraswamy and his family members, as well as Maddur’s former MLA DC Thammanna, and his family members have allegedly encroached upon 200 acres of government land, including pasture land in Ketaganahalli near Bidadi, which is adjacent to Bengaluru.”
“The following survey numbers 7, 8, 9, 10, 16, and 17, totalling 110.32 acres pasture land including 200 acres, violating the laws and rules, have been illegally acquired. I request a high-level investigation into this matter and to recover 200 acres of government land from them,” Siddappa stressed for investigation in his letter to the then Deputy Commissioner on 25 August, 2014
“The letter was written to then Deputy Commissioner, requesting a high-level investigation and recovery of the encroached land by Kumaraswamy and Thammanna. In 2011, Siddappa had investigated a complaint filed by G Made Gowda before the Lokayukta and submitted a report,” pointed out the Chief Minister.
“According to him, the investigation into the 200-acre land revealed following violations: Karnataka Land Grant Rules, Karnataka Land Reforms Act 79 (A) and (B), and section 66, Karnataka Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prohibition of Transfer of Certain Lands) Act, 1978 (PTCL Act), non-payment of stamp duty and fraud, encroachment of government land,” Siddaramaiah added that as per the report these violations were found.
“According to the Revenue Department, it is found that in the survey numbers 60 and 62 of Ketaganahalli, there has been widespread cheating of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes people,” stated the Chief Minister.
Hitting out at former Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy, CM Siddaramaiah alleged that Kumaraswamy acquired industrial site but failed to start an industry since 1985.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister pointed: “HD Kumaraswamy was allotted an industrial site measuring 75X280 ft, totalling 21,000 square feet by City Improvement Trust Boad of Mysore (CITB) for ₹37,334, at the rate of ₹16 per square yard, on 7 November 1984. The industrial site developed at Industrial Suburb in 3rd stage, was allotted with the condition that the industry should be started within two years, as mentioned in the allotment letter. Possession certificate was issued in 1985. However, Kumaraswamy did not establish any industry in the allotted site.”
“If the industrial site had been allotted to someone else, an industry would have been established, creating employment opportunities and generating revenue for the government. Kumaraswamy has completely violated the laws,” the Chief Minister said, levelling serious allegations the Union Minister Kumaraswamy.
He further pointed out: “Kumaraswamy submitted an application to the MUDA Commissioner requesting an alternative site at Vishveswaraya Nagar on 18 February 2017. MUDA decided to allot an alternative site on 7 January2023. However, the process is stalled due to a court stay order obtained by another individual who was illegally occupying the same site. Despite all these irregularities, Kumaraswamy is speaking about ethics,” charged the CM.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister released several letters wrote by Kumaraswamy to the Commissioner of Mysuru Urban Development Authority, seeking allotment of alternative land and possession certificate for the 75X280 ft site in the industrial area.
He also furnished MUDA’s letter asking HD Kumaraswamy to start the construction of factory building within six months and start industry within two years from the date of taking possession. This letter was dated on 7 November, 1984.
Levelling serious allegations against the JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda’s family, CM Siddaramaiah asserted that the former Prime Minister’s family violated and illegally allocated 48 sites under MUDA.
Siddaramaiah told reporters: “In the legislative council on 17 March, 2011, the then CM BS Yediyurappa presented documents to the council’s chairman against allocation of 60,000 sqft land to Deve Gowda family. It is recorded in the house proceedings that Yediyurappa directly submitted evidence against HD Deve Gowda, pointing at the violated rules and allocated 48 sites to his family members.”
(Edited by Neena)
(South First is now on WhatsApp and Telegram)
