On August 27, 2024, the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) passed a controversial resolution to pay Rs 20 crore in compensation for land used in constructing an 80ft-wide road in Shahapur. This decision has been heavily criticized by experts and social workers who argue that it sets a costly precedent for future land acquisitions. They believe that if BCC pays compensation in this case, it might be required to do so in numerous other cases, potentially costing between Rs 150 crore and Rs 170 crore. Critics, including social worker Sujit Mulagund, suggest that the road work should be abandoned and the land returned to its owners to prevent further financial strain on BCC.
Former MLA Ramesh Kudachi has pointed out that the BCC must adhere to court orders and hold accountable the officials who approved the illegal land acquisition. He notes that during the period from 2019-2022, when the BCC had no council body, a no-objection certificate (NOC) was given for the road work without clear authorization. Kudachi argues that the BCC commissioner lacked the authority to approve such land transactions and that such decisions should have been made by the council or state cabinet.
In a related development, retired IAS officers have highlighted that BCC can only approve expenditures up to Rs 2 crore independently. Transactions exceeding this amount require cabinet approval. This adds legal scrutiny to the BCC’s resolution.
On a separate note, land compensation claimant Nemani Jangale made headlines on Tuesday by pasting a court notice on the vehicle of the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) at the Corporation office. Jangale is demanding Rs 75.96 lakh in compensation for 5 acres of land acquired for road construction in Shahapur’s Haibatti Colony. He has warned that the court may seize the Corporation’s assets if the payment is not made. The case is set for a hearing on September 4, highlighting ongoing disputes over delayed compensation.
