BANGALORE: The once-sprawling campus of HMT watch factory, off Outer Ring Road, near Jalahalli, is now in the middle of a Rs 3,000-crore scam.
A BJP corporator has alleged that the defunct public sector undertaking has parceled off a part of its 631-acre campus and illegally sold it to builders and real estate firms in connivance with a few politicians.
Yediyur corporator N R Ramesh told reporters here on Tuesday that though the PSU was barred from selling the land, it sold 202 acres of the land to 22 entities between 2000 and 2006 without seeking the state government's permission. He demanded a CBI probe into the alleged land scam.
The parcels of land were later developed. Currently, 63 housing and commercial complexes and 12 layouts have illegally come up on these plots under the limits of Chennenahalli, Peenya and Jarakabande Kaval of Yeshwantpur revenue hobli.
The land was undervalued and sold at a price of Rs 400 per sqft as against a market value of Rs 9,000, he alleged, explaining how the same totalled up to Rs 3,000 crore.
With the state government holding the sole right to alienate land, the sale deeds entered into HMT with various entities should have had the chief secretary's signature. Instead, the land conveyance documents were signed allegedly by HMT officials, he said, releasing copies of the land documents.
The documents included absolute and supplementary sale deeds, and Karnataka Government Secretariat notices indicating that all the land transactions were illegal and under scrutiny.
The corporator alleged that the PSU officials bought out the labour union leaders to effect the deals.
He said the BBMP had issued a notification on September 20, 2008 that the HMT had illegally parceled off land without obtaining permission for land-use conversion and the buyers would not be eligible for obtaining khata and plan approval.
However, BBMP officials later connived with the buyers and issued them khatas and building plan approvals, he added.
"I have got threatening calls, and am under political pressure to not hold this press conference. I have spent over Rs 17 lakh to get these documents. I will soon file a public interest litigation in the high court and move the Lokayukta to safeguard prime land belonging to the government," he said.
Background:
In 1953, Diwan of Mysore gave away 631 acres of land to the Union government to establish HMT limited near Jalahalli in Bangalore. Of this, 200 acres belonged to the Mysore princely state and remaining 431 acres owned by various farmers was acquired for giving the same to HMT. The farmers got no compensation.
Though the land was given to the Union government, the ownership of the land remained with the state government. The allegation is that the HMT authorities had no rights to sell the land belonging to the state government.
A BJP corporator has alleged that the defunct public sector undertaking has parceled off a part of its 631-acre campus and illegally sold it to builders and real estate firms in connivance with a few politicians.
Yediyur corporator N R Ramesh told reporters here on Tuesday that though the PSU was barred from selling the land, it sold 202 acres of the land to 22 entities between 2000 and 2006 without seeking the state government's permission. He demanded a CBI probe into the alleged land scam.
The parcels of land were later developed. Currently, 63 housing and commercial complexes and 12 layouts have illegally come up on these plots under the limits of Chennenahalli, Peenya and Jarakabande Kaval of Yeshwantpur revenue hobli.
The land was undervalued and sold at a price of Rs 400 per sqft as against a market value of Rs 9,000, he alleged, explaining how the same totalled up to Rs 3,000 crore.
With the state government holding the sole right to alienate land, the sale deeds entered into HMT with various entities should have had the chief secretary's signature. Instead, the land conveyance documents were signed allegedly by HMT officials, he said, releasing copies of the land documents.
The documents included absolute and supplementary sale deeds, and Karnataka Government Secretariat notices indicating that all the land transactions were illegal and under scrutiny.
The corporator alleged that the PSU officials bought out the labour union leaders to effect the deals.
He said the BBMP had issued a notification on September 20, 2008 that the HMT had illegally parceled off land without obtaining permission for land-use conversion and the buyers would not be eligible for obtaining khata and plan approval.
However, BBMP officials later connived with the buyers and issued them khatas and building plan approvals, he added.
"I have got threatening calls, and am under political pressure to not hold this press conference. I have spent over Rs 17 lakh to get these documents. I will soon file a public interest litigation in the high court and move the Lokayukta to safeguard prime land belonging to the government," he said.
Background:
In 1953, Diwan of Mysore gave away 631 acres of land to the Union government to establish HMT limited near Jalahalli in Bangalore. Of this, 200 acres belonged to the Mysore princely state and remaining 431 acres owned by various farmers was acquired for giving the same to HMT. The farmers got no compensation.
Though the land was given to the Union government, the ownership of the land remained with the state government. The allegation is that the HMT authorities had no rights to sell the land belonging to the state government.
CEC report awaited
When the HMT land sale issue was taken to the Supreme court, the Apex Court formed a central empowered committee to look into the issue and submit a report on the same. The report will be submitted in February 2013.
What the Gazette says
With regard to the HMT land usage, a Mysore Gazette notification in September 1961 says:
The company shall-
Not use the said land for any purpose other than for what it is acquired
At all times, keep and maintain the said land and the building or buildings erected thereon in good order and condition to the satisfaction of the Deputy Commissioner
Maintain all records of the company properly and supply to the government punctually such returns and other information as may from time to time be required by the government.
Not use the said land or any building that has been erected upon it for any purpose which in the opinion of the government is objectionable.
When the HMT land sale issue was taken to the Supreme court, the Apex Court formed a central empowered committee to look into the issue and submit a report on the same. The report will be submitted in February 2013.
What the Gazette says
With regard to the HMT land usage, a Mysore Gazette notification in September 1961 says:
The company shall-
Not use the said land for any purpose other than for what it is acquired
At all times, keep and maintain the said land and the building or buildings erected thereon in good order and condition to the satisfaction of the Deputy Commissioner
Maintain all records of the company properly and supply to the government punctually such returns and other information as may from time to time be required by the government.
Not use the said land or any building that has been erected upon it for any purpose which in the opinion of the government is objectionable.
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