Karnataka government to sell premium BDA plots to overcome financial trouble due to Covid-19 lockdown

BENGALURU: Bracing for hard times in the post-lockdown period, Karnataka government has decided to auction around 12,000 corner sites in various residential layouts developed by the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) in different localities of Bengaluru.
"There are about 12,000 corner sites lying idle in Bengaluru. We are hoping to get around Rs 14,000 to Rs 15,000 crores from the auction of these sites," chief minister B S Yediyurappa said after a meeting with ministers and senior officials to discuss about ways to tide the impending financial crisis due to Covid-19 lockdown.
These sites are spread across about nine layouts developed by the BDA over the years and majority of them are of 40"X60" and 50"X80" dimensions and offer scope for commercial exploitation.
The government has also decided to auction out corner and vacant sites in layouts developed by development authorities in other major cities across the state.
Many experts feel that it is a Herculean task for the government to achieve the target as they feel not many people will come forward in these times to buy these sites whose average cost works out a minimum of Rs one crore. The CM however confident of reaching out intended target. "Since it is going to be an open auction, I am confident of getting good price as there is a good demand for corner sites. If we don't get expected price then we will stop this process," he added.
The meeting also decided to speed up the disposal of cases related to regularisation of unauthorised constructions which are pending before the high court and the Supreme Court. ``If the courts decide the matter, thousands of people who own unauthorised houses will be relieved. This will also help the government in mobilising resources to take up development works," the CM said. The government is hoping to garner around Rs 3000 to Rs 4000 crore on this count.
The government also decided to amend the law governing permission to allow sites in private and co-operative housing societies. Hundreds of societies are waiting for approval from the government for releasing the sites. ``The Covid 19 situation has thrown our state into a deep financial trouble and there is a need of such measures to overcome the present financial crisis,’’ the CM added.
The CM also appealed to sugar mills to clear dues of cane growers at the earliest else, faces action. ``As of today, the mills owe Rs 2,834 crore sugarcane dues to the farmers 11 district," he added.
MSIL outlets to sell liquor
The government is likely to allow through Mysore Sales International Ltd (MSIL) outlets to sell liquor from Wednesday to check alcohol related problems and earn revenue for the exchequer. Many MSIL liquor outlets across the state were seen erecting barricades in front of them to avoid sudden rush of customers anticipating that the government would allow them to open from Wednesday. The CM however said the government will decide on relaxations on the sale of liquor on or after April 14. "We are discussing about it," he added. Yediyurappa said it was also decided to use Rs 1,000 crore available in Rajiv Gandhi Health University to upgrade medical college hospitals and released Rs 45 crore compensation to be paid to farmers for the loss of paddy crop in Raichur and Koppal district due to hailstorm recently.