The Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) has initiated the formation of a committee comprising its members to identify high-value properties within the city. Over the past four to five years, incidents of document theft from BCC offices have escalated. Concerns of significant corruption and forgery arise from allegations that these thefts were orchestrated to destroy original documents related to the firm’s assets.
According to BCC corporators, the corporation has leased or rented out more than 95 properties to government and private organizations engaged in social services. They highlighted that lease agreements for over 70 of these properties have lapsed, and the corporation has not reclaimed possession of them. Additionally, rent payments for many properties have not been received. The corporators have expressed concerns about officials’ reluctance to take back these properties, prompting them to raise the issue in a recent BCC general meeting where officials were reminded of their duties.
Hanumant Kongali, a BJP corporator and former advocate, voiced discontent among fellow corporators at the BCC meeting, criticizing officials for mismanagement that has reportedly cost the corporation crores in annual revenue. Officials disclosed that currently, Rs 26 crore is outstanding from BCC-owned assets. Corporators additionally alleged that since 2013, during the tenure of administrators and commissioners, numerous properties were leased out without adequate oversight. Some individuals have purportedly utilized these properties for personal benefit, while others have established commercial enterprises, earning monthly rents ranging from Rs 2 to 3 lakh.
Corporators raised concerns that the corporation lacks effective oversight over its assets. They also alleged that certain officials have obtained properties under the guise of social service and registered them in their own names. MLA Abhay Patil expressed worry over the absence of a clear record detailing the number of leased properties and their lessees. He pointed to instances of document theft from various BCC offices over the past 4-5 years, suggesting that the disappearance of original property documents has raised suspicions of significant irregularities. Patil recommended the formation of a fact-finding committee or the initiation of a high-level investigation to address these issues.
Reshma Talikote, the commissioner of BCC’s revenue department, admitted that there is a lack of accurate information regarding the corporation’s leased properties and their specifics. As a result, a survey is presently ongoing to identify and document all such properties. Ashok Dudagunti, the BCC commissioner, mentioned that officials from the revenue department have been directed to carry out this survey and compile a detailed report on all assets owned by the corporation. He assured that strict measures are being put in place to protect these properties effectively.
