Despite members cutting across party lines demanding a House committee to probe irregularities in the allotment of two high-value industrial plots to companies that have transferred them to another, the State Government refused to yield, and instead announced an investigation into it.
Raising the issue in the Legislative Council on Wednesday, Janata Dal (Secular) member Marithibbe Gowda alleged financial irregularities in the transfer of 78 acres in Kadugodi near Whitefield by Concord India that had been allotted the plot at a cost of ₹39 crore.
He said originally the land had been allotted to Concord India in 1972, which was re-allotted to the same company in 2007. After overcoming legal hurdles, it wanted to transfer the land to Embassy East Business Park in 2020, he added.
“The land value is about ₹1,690 crore, and timber worth ₹50 crore is available. The allotment was made without bringing it to the notice of the board, and rules were changed accordingly. The project purpose has been changed too,” he alleged.
Pointing out at another land allotment in Dobspet, he said a bulk allotment of 125 acres had been made to Embassy Industrial Park to establish industrial and logistic park at a cost of ₹1.56 crore per acre.
“In this allotment too, the company wanted to change the name. The company has paid 30% of the cost and another company is set to pay the rest.” Mr. Gowda said in both cases, industrial land allotment has been turned into real-estate business, and no employment has been generated. “Shareholders of the company were different”
Mr. Gowda accused the Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani of speaking on behalf of the companies when the Minister said: “I feel it has been judicious so far since the project had been delayed due to litigations. They want to develop the land now,” The JD (S) member informed the Council that Minister had written to the chief secretary to initiate action against officials for not following rules in these cases.
Intervening in the discussion, BJP member Aiyanur Manjunath said: “I am expressing my disappointment with the Minister. Why is the Minister not taking action? If he does not take action, he will be responsible for the irregularities.”
Leader of Opposition B.K. Hariprasad pointed out that the farmers are being misguided and have been asked to complain to the High Grounds police station instead of Dobspet where the land issue has taken place.
In response, Mr. Nirani said the additional chief secretary has been asked to probe the incident and submit a report while Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has been informed about the development. However, the Government did not concede to the members’ demand for House committee probe.
