BENGALURU: The BBMP roared with action demolishing the properties belonging to the poor and middle-class during its anti-encroachment drive, but when it comes to bringing down the structures owned by the powerful and influential people, it is passing the buck around, it is alleged.
Despite reports sent to the BBMP by the Joint Director of Land Records (JDLR), confirming encroachments by Orion Mall, actor Darshan's house and SS Hospital owned by Congress MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa at Ideal Homes Layout, authorities are yet to take any action. Now, the BBMP is saying that it is waiting for another report, this time from the BDA.
When Deccan Chronicle asked BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad why there is no action yet on these properties, even after confirmation by the JDLR, he said, “The report by JDLR confirmed encroachment of 7.2 acres by Ideal Homes Layout which houses Darshan's bungalow and SS Hospitals. We are waiting for one more report from the BDA on the details of encroachment by Ideal Homes.”
Asked what the BBMP would do after a BDA report, he said, “We will forward the BDA report to the deputy commissioner of Bangalore Urban district for further action.”
On the demolition of Orion Mall, he said, “We want to know the status of the land allotted to Prestige by the Karnataka State Industrial Development Board.”
Namma Bengaluru Foundation CEO Sridhar Pabbisetty said, “What are the pertinent reasons for carrying out survey after survey and waiting report after report? Didn't the BBMP need all these reports when they went ahead and demolished the buildings of the poor? If they didn't need it for poor, why are they relying on it now?”
Ms Kathyayini Chamaraj, executive director, Civic Bangalore, said, “It is clearly visible that the BBMP is not meting out equal treatment to all its encroachers. If actor Darshan is a true Bengalurean, he should himself demolish the encroached portion of his house and set an example.”
After a series of holidays because of Bengaluru bandh and Bakri-Eid, the BBMP resumed its demolition drive on Friday.
