Palike issues trade licence in green zone in blatant violation of BDA rules.
In a blatant violation of its zoning rules, the BBMP has allowed an individual to operate a hotel in the Green Zone as stipulated by the BDA’s Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) 2015.
The BBMP issued khatha and also trade licence to Jyotendra Sinhji Vikram Sinhji to operate Jayamahal Palace Hotel on properties No 1&1/3 on Jayamahal Road that falls under Green Zone area as per the CDP Master Plan 2015.
Moreover, the authorities did not cancel the trade licence despite a direction from the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF). The authorities also ignored a letter from Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) cautioning that the land was earmarked for a park, and that it had not given permission for change in land use to the individual.
The lack of transparency in the deal is manifest in the khata extract issued by the BBMP in 2007, which has no details on the size of the property and estimated its value at Rs15,560 (non-residential) and collected a mere Rs5,213 as property tax. The documents have one note stating that that certificate was issued from the computerized records.
“If any discrepancies are found, please contact the concerned assistant revenue officer,” it says.
However, the website of Jayamahal Palace Hotel claims that the size of the property is 19 acres. The documents available with dna show the management of Jayamahal Palace Hotel seeking permission from the BBMP to put up a temporary shed measuring 140ftx120ft, and offering to pay whatever charges were to be paid.
The letter addressed to the chairman, Town Planning Committee (dated 18-10-2011) stated: “At present we are running the hotel i.e, boarding and lodging from several years and some time we use to give for marriage and other functions at open space and paying the corporation tax regularly’’.
What is Green Belt?
The Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act authorises the town planning authority, BDA in the case of Bangalore, to draw up a comprehensive development plan (CDP).
The town planning authority is thus a statutory body, created by legislation. The CDP prepared by the BDA is the blue print for the zonal regulations of Bangalore and its surroundings.
The CDP sets out the Green Belt area and the uses which are permitted in the area, such as agriculture, horticulture, dairy and poultry farming, milk chilling centres, farm houses and their accessory building (not exceeding 200 sq mts of plinth area within the plot area limitation of 1.20 hectares).
The Karnataka Land Reforms Act permits in certain cases, special permission to be given by the deputy commissioner, for purposes like schools, hospitals, libraries, sports clubs, cultural buildings, exhibition centres, low income housing, temples, etc.
Applicants for land use in the area require to secure an NoC from the BDA.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}