Illegal sale of land in Kodagu: Govt cracks the whip
In a major crackdown on illegal sale of land in Kodagu, the Karnataka government has ordered mass suspension of revenue officials in the district for facilitating sale of agriculture land to outsiders in violation of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act.
The government has directed the district administration to suspend village accountants, revenue inspectors and shirastedars who had facilitated the sale of lands in 26 cases during 2005-10. Besides, the deputy commissioner has been asked to recommend suspension of tashildars of the three taluks.
The officials had allegedly enabled outsiders to purchase farm lands, though the law bars purchase of agriculture land by persons with family income from non-agriculture sources exceeding Rs 2 lakh per year.
After purchasing the agriculture land, the accused had allegedly changed the land-use by taking up construction of hotels and resorts.
The issue was initially raised by M.C. Nanaiah, MLC (in picture above), who had written to the government on the illegal land deals which had led to shrinking of agriculture area in the district.
Based on Mr Nanaiah’s complaint, the government had ordered an inquiry by the regional commissioner of Mysore. The inquiry had found violations relating to 12 cases in Madikeri taluk, 10 in Somwarpet and four cases in Virajpet.
EDITOR’S VIEW: The latest land scam is only a tip of the iceberg. The scam involves only technical violations of purchase by non-agriculturists.
It is no secret that outsiders have been purchasing even Jamma lands which cannot be alienated (sold) without government permission. Lands sharks from outside the district and state have been purchasing lands in collusion with officials and local politicians.
The exodus of outsiders into the district could in future lead to law and order problem. Unless the government wakes up to the situation, there could be serious repercussions.
The government should immediately put an end to purchase of land in the district, till all the previous land transactions are reviewed.
