BJP reiterates demand for CBI probe into MUDA 'scam'

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: The opposition BJP in Karnataka on Thursday reiterated its demand for a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority in the allotment of alternative sites to land losers.

The Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka alleged that the then MUDA Chairman and Commissioner were involved in the "scam" and they should be arrested to "bust the big racket of middlemen."

Speaking about the "illegal" formation of a residential layout on land belonging to the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi in Mysuru, he said MUDA's action raises many doubts. “...these irregularities will come out only when the CBI is assigned to investigate the case,” Ashoka told reporters.

The BJP has alleged that alternative sites were also allotted to Parvathi in an upmarket area in Mysuru, which had higher property value as compared to the location of her land on which the MUDA formed the layout.

The MUDA had allotted plots to Parvathi under a 50:50 ratio scheme in lieu of over three acres of her land, on which the Authority had developed a residential layout. The controversial scheme envisages allotting 50 per cent of developed land to the land loser in lieu of undeveloped land acquired for forming layouts.

The BJP has alleged that irregularities to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore had taken place in distribution of sites to land losers by MUDA. "Apparent ly 4,500-5,000 sites were allotted by flouting norms," a BJP leader claimed.

The Chief Minister on Wednesday said housing sites allotted by MUDA under the scheme to land losers have been put on hold pending an investigation into the alleged irregularities.Ashoka said: “The land (belonging to CM's wife) was acquired by MUDA and then denotified. I don't know on whose pressure it was done. After the denotification, MUDA formed a layout, park and playground on that land. This gives rise to many doubts because once it is denotified, MUDA has no right to touch that piece of land, which belongs to a reputed person. Yet, the layout was formed."

He said when the Chief Minister's wife submitted an application to MUDA, she was allotted sites under the 50:50 scheme. According to Ashoka, in Bengaluru and other parts of the state, the ratio is 60:40 -- 60 per cent of the developed land goes to the state government and the rest to the land loser.

The then MUDA Chairperson and Commissioner changed it from 60:40 to 50:50, leading the Authority incurring huge losses, he alleged.