Bengaluru: Minister for Revenue Kagodu Thimmappa said the state government has decided to collect Rs 998 crore from Eagleton Golf Resort near Bidadi on the outskirts of Bengaluru city for encroaching the government land.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Monday, Minister Kagodu Thimmappa said that the management of Eagleton Golf Resort had approached the Supreme Court seeking direction against the state government’s decision to collect Rs 998 crore for encroaching 77 acres of government land, but apex court had upheld the state government’s decision. “We have decided to issue the notice to the management of Eagleton Golf Resort to recover the amount (Rs 998 crore). The subject will be discussed in the Cabinet meeting shortly,” Minister Thimmappa said.

The minister said Ramanagar District administration had recovered 28 acres from Eagleton Golf Resort and the land would be handed over to the department of horticulture.

It may be recalled that Eagleton Golf Resort started operations in April 2000 on 509 acres that had been granted by the government under the tourism policy. It comprises a five-star-rated golf course, resorts and a golf village. After a Supreme Court direction, a Cabinet sub-committee began the process of fixing the value of 77 acres that had to be regularised.

Village accountants will be responsible

The minister for revenue said the village accountants and revenue inspectors would be held responsible for the encroachment of government lands in their respective circles (jurisdiction). “The negligence of the revenue officials is the main reason for the encroachment of government lands not only in the city, but also in small town and villages. The revenue department has issued a circular to all village accountants and revenue inspectors to prepare the list of government lands in their respective jurisdiction. The revenue department is making arrangements for the accommodation of village accountants and revenue inspectors at their respective circles. The government will not hesitate to take stringent action against the village accountants and revenue officials if any government land is encroached. It is the duty of the village accountants and revenue inspectors to inform to tahsildar if they come across anybody illegally occupies the government land. If the tahsildar fails to take action, the government will take action against him,’’ the minister said.

Drought condition

The revenue minister said a meeting is scheduled to be held on September 28 to discuss about the drought condition in the state. “The state government had declared 136 taluks as drought affected areas last year. If the deficit rainfall is any indication, the number of drought-hit taluks is expected to go up. The action plan to tackle the drought situation in the state will be chalked out after receiving information from tahsildars. The state government will make arrangements to bring fodder for the cattle in rural areas from the neighbouring states,’’ the minister said.

Bagar Hukum land

The minister for revenue said that instructions were given to tahsildars to clear the pending applications for the regularisation of bagar hokum land (the revenue land being cultivated without permission) in the state. “We have received more than 3.50 lakh applications for the regularisation of bagar hokum land. I want to complete the process of allocating the bagar hukum land to the applicants by the end of December 2016,’’ the minister said.