Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday ordered criminal action against 20 officials who allowed illegal constructions along lake-beds in Bengaluru, while his government ruled out compensation for those who lost their homes in the demolition drive.
The CM also asked the Bengaluru Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF) to carry out drive across the city to demolish the buildings that have been constructed illegally .
He said orders were given for immediately suspending 13 officials while criminal action was ordered against seven others who had retired. “We can’t suspend them. We are ordering a criminal action against them,” he said.
Across the city, hundreds of people who lost their homes in the demolition drive, were yet to come to terms with their loss.
Young lavanya and her family have lived in their home since the 1970s and are now preparing for a bitter relocation back to their village, due to demolition drive. Speaking to News18 she said “The chief minister may not be responsible for it, but he should be. It is a collective mistake due to which people are suffering. I am really sorry but we don’t have hopes in the government”.
Pathankot martyr Lt Colonel Niranjan’s home in north Bengaluru for instance, has been demarcated as encroaching upon 5 feet of drain area. The pillar of their home is set to go soon. A home that the family doesn’t want to lose, as it was expanded just before Niranjan’s wedding and has fond memories.
E K Shanshank, Lt Col Niranjan’s brother said, “Six months ago, we lost him. Now we are in the same state. It’s not good for a national hero. Niranjan was a national hero and demolition of his house is a shame for the country. It’s okay if they give us time. If they give us time, we can build another pillar”.
The residents who are suffering demolition of their homes also wonder why they shouldn’t be allowed compensation now that they are homeless. But officials say giving them compensation would mean the government compensates them for doing something illegal — this would not only leave it open to many court cases, it would also be a bad precedent, as encouraging anyone who can encroach today and seek compensation tomorrow.
And the man who was tasked with identifying the officials responsible for allowing illegal layouts says only the first batch of officials are facing action so far. The government is in the process of identifying more officials who are culpable — since some of the homes have been in existence for over ten years. Additional chief secretary to state government Mahendra Jain ruled out compensation, but says the government will go after more officials who allowed illegal plan sanctions.
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