Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Dec 8: BJP city unit spokesperson, N R Ramesh, has accused Embassy Golf Link Techpark of which minister, K J George, is a partner, of encroaching government land, apart from cheating Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike to the extent of over nine crore rupees per year by way of property tax.
Speaking at a press conference after releasing certain documents in support of his allegations, Ramesh said that Embassy Golf Link Techpark had purchased 52.03 acre of land in the city (east) taluk and this land is distributed over 18 different survey numbers. Along with this, 13 acre of government land valued at Rs 850 crore has been annexed without authorization here for setting up techpark," he complained.
He said that when buying land from farmers, land conversion was got done through the city district deputy commissioner and special deputy commissioner for 'residential purpose'. But after commissioner of Bengaluru Development Authority and town plannning engineer illegally approved the sketch, commercial buildings have come up in 90 percent of the land in violation of the law, he explained. He also claimed that 23 buildings including Hilton five star hotel have come up in 65 acre of land. Although the built up area of the Techpark is 45 lac square feet, under self assessment tax, the firm has claimed built up area as 4,79,729 square feet wrongly and thereby paying only Rs 1.24 crore property tax every year and cheating the Palike to the tune of nine crore rupees every year, he stated.
He said that complaints have been sent against the previous deputy commissioners, tahsildar etc who illegally sanctioned sketch and other documents, to the Lokayukta, Anti Corruption Bureau, BMTF, additional chief metropolitan court and the deputy commissioner about these irregularities.
Ramesh said that when George was housing minister, government land was given to farmers by registering mutation. Later, 52.03 acre were bought from them for Techpark. Of this, 4.01 acre was bought from Shantinagar MLA, N A Harris family. There is no proof how Harris family got this land. There is suspicion that there are irregularities in even 65 acre mutation process, he stated.
Minister, K J George, reacting to the comments, said that he would have responded to allegations if they were sane and responsible. He said he is not inclined to give clarifications for charges levelled by those who should be in NIMHANS, by standing on the road. He wanted media persons to show him documents if any to prove his guilt. He told the media to advice Ramesh to get admitted into a mental hospital.