Karna to reintroduce Land Revenue (Amendment) bill: Eshwarappa

The legislation which had already been passed by the State legislature was last week returned by Governor H R Bhardwaj asking the BJP government to reconsider it as it might lead to land grabbing.

Eshwarappa told reporters here as directed by the Governor, the Government would re-introduce the legislation in the legislature.

He said the legislation had been welcomed by the opposition members who had hailed the decision to regularise such encroachments in government lands by people below the poverty line and those who have not been granted a housing site under the government's Ashraya Housing Scheme.

While tabling it again, the government would also introduce a similar legislation to cover those living in such government land in urban areas also.

Eshwarappa said the government's intention was not to promote land grabbers but to ensure that those without any housing site get the benefit.

The Governor had returned the amendment Bill seeking to grant government land in rural areas to those who had unauthorisedly occupied it and built dwelling units prior to January 1 this year, saying it may lead to illegal grabbing.

Bhardwaj returned the Karnataka Land Revenue (Amendment) Bill, submitted by the BJP Government for his assent, for reconsideration of both Houses of the State Legislature.

The Governor expressed the view that the policy of regularisation of encroachment of Government land directly encourages illegal occupation of Government land.

"This amendment will cause severe inroads into the lofty principles such as Rule of Law, Equality before Law, Due Process, Majesty of Law, Dignity of Courts, Inalienable Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, etc., which are enshrined in the Constitution," he had said.