Land bill to be sent back to Gov

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Governor H.R. Bhardwaj’s decision to reject the bill for regularization of residential buildings constructed illegally on government land in rural areas, has met with an angry response from ministers in the state cabinet. This became evident at an informal consultation held by Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar immediately after the state cabinet meeting on Thursday when the majority of ministers asserted that the bill should be returned to the governor for reconsideration. With assembly elections round the corner, the government is in a hurry to secure approval for the bill which will make an impact in rural areas.

Mr Shettar reportedly told his colleagues that the government has to counter the decision of the Governor using its constitutional powers. The bill is likely to be sent back to the Governor without any amendment. “If necessary, the bill will be reintroduced in both Houses of the state legislatures for approval,” the CM told his ministers.

The CM said the Governor had pinpointed the legal implications involved in implementing the bill. He felt anti-social elements and realtors would misuse the bill as many unauthorised constructions had come up in local bodies in the recent past. The ministers however pressed for the passage of the bill saying it would help the semi-urban middle class voters who are with BJP. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar met Governor H.R. Bhardwaj and requested him to reconsider his decision to reject the bill. But the Governor firmly rejected the request of the Chief Minister, sources said.