BJP reiterates demand for CBI probe into MUDA 'scam'
Bengaluru (PTI): The opposition BJP in Karnataka on Thursday reiterated its demand for a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority in the allotment of alternative sites to land losers.
The Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka alleged that the then MUDA Chairman and Commissioner were involved in the "scam" and they should be arrested to "bust the big racket of middlemen."
Speaking about the "illegal" formation of a residential layout on land belonging to the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi in Mysuru, he said MUDA’s action raises many doubts.
“...these irregularities will come out only when the CBI is assigned to investigate the case,” Ashoka told reporters.
The BJP has alleged that alternative sites were also allotted to Parvathi in an upmarket area in Mysuru, which had higher property value as compared to the location of her land on which the MUDA formed the layout.
ALSO READ: CM Siddaramaiah rejects BJP's demand for CBI probe into MUDA ''scam''
The MUDA had allotted plots to Parvathi under a 50:50 ratio scheme in lieu of over three acres of her land, on which the Authority had developed a residential layout.
The controversial scheme envisages allotting 50 per cent of developed land to the land loser in lieu of undeveloped land acquired for forming layouts.
The BJP has alleged that irregularities to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore had taken place in distribution of sites to land losers by MUDA. "Apparently 4,500-5,000 sites were allotted by flouting norms," a BJP leader claimed.
The Chief Minister on Wednesday said housing sites allotted by MUDA under the scheme to land losers have been put on hold pending an investigation into the alleged irregularities.
Ashoka said: “The land (belonging to CM’s wife) was acquired by MUDA and then denotified. I don’t know on whose pressure it was done. After the denotification, MUDA formed a layout, park and playground on that land. This gives rise to many doubts because once it is denotified, MUDA has no right to touch that piece of land, which belongs to a reputed person. Yet, the layout was formed."
He said when the Chief Minister's wife submitted an application to MUDA, she was allotted sites under the 50:50 scheme.
According to Ashoka, in Bengaluru and other parts of the state, the ratio is 60:40 -- 60 per cent of the developed land goes to the state government and the rest to the land loser.
The then MUDA Chairperson and Commissioner changed it from 60:40 to 50:50, leading the Authority incurring huge losses, he alleged.
He categorically rejected Siddaramaiah’s statement that the scheme was introduced by the previous BJP government.
“There is no BJP role in it. Our previous government had cancelled the 50:50 scheme saying this was illegal way back in 2023,” Ashoka added.
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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
