BBMP polls: Why don’t we have more polls!

BENGALURU: With an eye on forthcoming elections to BBMP, the state cabinet on Wednesday approved several projects which could help the ruling Congress gain the support of people of all sections of society.

While giving the go-ahead for tenders for projects worth over Rs 350 crores, the cabinet also cleared regularisation of encroachments on government land in urban areas, a move which would benefit slum dwellers 18 km around Bengaluru. The projects approved today were hanging fire for more than four years, law and parliamentary affairs minister T B Jayachandra told the media.

The important projects include development of two signal free corridors across Bengaluru city—the first one between Mekhri circle and Hoodi Oak Farm to pass through Ulsoor junction, Old Madras Road junction, K R Pura and Whitefield at a cost of Rs 140.91 crores, and the second, a signal free Outer Ring Road between Mysore Road and Silk Board junction at a cost of Rs 153.42 crores.

The other projects cleared by the cabinet are construction of retaining wall in Challaghatta valley at a cost of Rs 12.46 crores and two RCC SDC at a cost of Rs 6.66 crores and Rs 11.75 crores respectively. Another project in Koramangala valley at a cost of Rs 25.86 crores was also approved, while giving consent to take up hospital work at a cost of Rs 11.17 crores on Broadway road in Shivajinagar.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to amend Sec 94 CC of Land Revenue Act, regularising all encroachment on revenue land for construction of houses. Mr Jayachandra said the maximum dimension of the land that would be regularised would be 20X30 feet, and the provision would be extended to all urban areas of Karnataka. With implementation of this amendment, almost all the slums in the city as well as encroachment in 18 kms around Bengaluru city would be regularised.

Beacon colour changed

Henceforth, police officers and bureaucrats would sport yellow colour beacon on their government vehicles, instead of the red beacon. The Supreme Court had banned use of red beacon by people other than ministers and judicial officers.

Mr Jayachandra said the cabinet felt the need for police personnel and revenue officials with magisterial powers dealing with situations like mob violence and communal riots to use some beacon on their vehicles. Therefore, the cabinet decided to allow them to use yellow beacons, he added.

Land Reforms Act amendment

The cabinet has decided to amend another provision of the Land Reforms Act, enabling the non-agriculturists to purchase agricultural land. As per old rule, for a person to purchase agricultural land, the annual income was Rs 2 lakhs. The cabinet decided to enhance it to Rs 25 lakhs. Besides, under Sec 109 of the Act, the land acquired for industrial purpose had provision of deemed conversion. Now, if agriculturists want to convert their land for industrial purpose like solar power panels, it would be extended to them as well.