Govt cancels CA sites allotted to realty firm

Misuse of Civic Amenity (CA) sites has continued unabated in the city. President and other officials of a gram panchayat in Devanahalli taluk under Bangalore Airport Area Planning Authority have leased out two CA sites to a real estate firm to construct a club house.

Taking note of the illegality, the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj department has suspended the executive officer of the Devanahalli taluk panchayat and ordered to restore the CA sites to the government.

Two CA sites - one at survey number 64 under Vishwanathapura gram panchayat and the other at survey number 12 under Anneshwar gram panchayat – were relinquished on behalf of the gram panchayat in 2010.

Real estate firm Fortius Land Developers LLP had filed an application requesting to hand over the sites measuring 4,414 sq mts to construct a club house. At a meeting held in August 2016 by the Vishwanathapura gram panchayat, it was resolved to hand over the land to the developer after taking approval from the Devanahalli taluk panchayat.

The approval note by the taluk panchayat said it was decided to hand over the land to the developer since the CA sites were not useful for public and also it would help avoid encroachment. The lease deed was executed for 30 years in favour of the developer in September 2016.


An enquiry was held based on a complaint by the village residents. The enquiry revealed that the proceedings were in violation of the Karnataka Panchayat Raj (acquisition and transfer of movable and immovable properties by grama panchayat) rules. The request for approval by the Vishwanathapura gram panchayat was never placed before the Devanahalli taluk panchayat and the approval order was issued by the executive officer.


Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj H K Patil has now passed an order handing over the probe to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

"Prima facie, it is established that the land developer, gram panchayat and taluk panchayat officials were involved in the irregularities. Criminal proceedings will be initiated against the developer," the order said.

The authority concerned will take action against the president of the Vishwanthapura gram panchayat N Rammurthy and place the then executive officer of the Devanahalli taluk panchayat Umesh under suspension,'' the order said.

The department has also cancelled the lease deed handing over the CA sites in favour of the developer. The order has directed the authorities to restore the sites immediately.