Task force to protect govt land from encroachers

Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa today announced constitution of a 10-member task force, to protect government land from encroachment.

The task force is headed by retired IAS officer V Balasubramanian. Principal secretaries in the Departments of urban development, and revenue and commissioners of Bangalore Development Authority and Greater Bangalore City Corporation are among the members of the task force, Yeddyurappa informed the Legislative Assembly.

The chief minister made the announcement while making a statement on the implementation of the report of the A T Ramaswamy-head joint house committee which enquired into encroachment of “highly valued” government land worth crores of rupees in five Taluks in and around Bangalore. The house committee, which submitted its final report on September 21, 2007,had identified encroachment of 33,878 acres of land belonging to the Revenue Department. Yeddyurappa said out of this, Government has cleared 9,033 acres from encroachments.

The chief minister said the task force was set up because there was a need to implement the report and ensure that such encroachments did not take place again. The Subramanian committee would meet every three months, Yeddyurappa added.