Bengaluru, Aug 19 (IANS) The Karnataka government on Wednesday ordered the cancellation of around 1,100 alternative site allotments made by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) under the controversial 50:50 scheme, with the sites estimated to be worth more than Rs 2,000 crore.
The Urban Development Department directed authorities to cancel allotment orders issued in violation of the government’s March 14, 2023 directive and initiate steps to reclaim the sites already allotted.
The order, issued by Under Secretary Latha K. on behalf of the Secretary, Urban Development Department, has been communicated to the Deputy Commissioner and President of MUDA, the Commissioner of Urban Development Authorities and the Urban and Rural Planning Commissionerate, the Director of the Directorate of Municipal Administration, and the Commissioner of MUDA.
The department directed the concerned authorities to submit an implementation report to the government immediately and warned that it would initiate action under the law in case of non‑compliance.
According to the order, the department will cancel allotment orders issued in violation of the March 14, 2023 government directive.
Where sale deeds have already been registered, the authorities have been directed to challenge them through civil suits and take steps to reclaim the sites.
In cases where sale deeds have not yet been issued, MUDA has been barred from executing fresh sale deeds until the government issues clear guidelines.
For sites where sale deeds have already been executed at sub‑registrar offices, the concerned city corporation, Mysuru City Corporation, municipalities and gram panchayats have been instructed to stop issuing khatas. The order also said existing khatas will be cancelled under the Karnataka City Corporations Act, 1976, the Karnataka Municipalities Act and the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act, 1993.
The government has outlined a two‑phase process for reviewing the 50:50 site allotments.
In the first phase, the government will cancel allotments made after March 14, 2023, that violate government rules and directions.
In the second phase, the government will scrutinise allotments made before March 14, 2023, for irregularities. The government will take further action if it detects violations.
Officials have been directed to submit an immediate compliance report to the government. The department has also warned that officials could face action if they fail to implement the directions.
Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah said the government’s decision followed the recommendations of the inquiry commission and the report of a high‑level technical committee.
The order comes amid controversy surrounding MUDA’s 50:50 scheme, under which alternative sites were allotted to landowners instead of land acquired for development.
RTI activist and complainant in the MUDA case, Snehamayi Krishna, welcomed the government’s decision, describing it as a major victory in his campaign against alleged irregularities in MUDA.
He said it was a major victory in the MUDA scam, adding that he had always maintained that all the sites allotted under the 50:50 ratio would eventually return to MUDA and that he would continue his fight until that happened.
Snehamayi Krishna said the government had issued an official order to reclaim around 1,100 sites valued at more than Rs 2,000 crore.
He thanked media organisations, well‑wishers and others who had supported his campaign directly or indirectly.
“I sincerely thank all the media persons and well‑wishers who extended their full support to my fight, as well as everyone who supported me directly or indirectly,” he said.
–IANS
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