Tough norms for govt land

The Karnataka government has decided to stipulate stringent norms for granting government land to associations, trusts and institutions to check attempts to unscrupulously grab land, minister for revenue and muzarai, M P Prakash said here on Friday.

Prakash said no association, trust or institution registered under the Societies Registration Act, the Trust Act and the Cooperation Act would be eligible for land grant at concessional rate and that they would have to pay market prices. Areas marked as "gomalas" and "amrutha", meant for grazing cattle, would not be granted hereafter, he said.

Organisations seeking land should have worked satisfactorily to achieve objectives enunciated in their articles of association for a minimum period of five years and submitted audited accounts for two years.

Only organisations, which established centres for lepers, destitutes, the aged, and the physically and mentally challenged would be eligible for allotment at concessional rates on lease for a period of 30 years, provided they had run the establishments for a period of five years, he said.

The government reserved the right to reclaim land for ten years after the grant has been made if it was found that the norms have been violated. He said if any institution had not utilised the land for the purpose for which it was granted within two years, powers to revoke the allotment will be vested with the government.

The government, Prakash said, has set up a task force to undertake a survey of temples coming under muzarai control following government land being encroached by some unscrupulous elements who had constructed temples across the state. After receiving the task force's report the government would take action on those who have built temples on encroached lands.

Prakash said the government decided to frame new guidelines after it discovered that certain institutions secured grant of land a day after registering themselves.