'Sakrama' kept in abeyance by HC

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday kept the 'Sakrama' scheme in abeyance till the state government introduces appropriate amendment to set right certain loopholes.

The scheme, introduced by the government as a one-time measure for owners of sites in unauthorised layouts and townships, to regularise their properties, was questioned in the High Court by a group of residents.

They urged the High Court to stay the operation of the scheme on the grounds that it did not benefit the larger sections of property owners.

The scheme also provided a provision for regularising the deviations of properties built in violation of the bylaws. The citizens had opposed the steep penalty for the regularisation apart from seeking an extension.

The government had set December 14 as the last date for applying for regularisation of properties under the scheme. The urban local bodies, including the Greater Bangalore City Corporation, were laden with the responsibility of implementing the scheme.

The High Court, which refused to stay the operation of the scheme, directed the government in its interim order to keep it in abeyance. The interim order, passed by Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph Justice Ashok B Hinchgeri, also directed the government to take a relook at the scheme.

It also means that the urban local bodies cannot process the applications till the next hearing which has been scheduled for February 6.

The scheme was evolved by amending the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act, the Karnataka Municipalities Act and the Karnataka Town and Country Planning (Regularisation of Unauthorised Development or Constructions) Rules 2007.