Bengaluru, March 16: The Karnataka government is prepared to acquire private land for burial grounds at three times the guideline rate, as many villages lack designated burial sites. Minister Krishna Byre Gowda made this announcement in the Legislative Assembly while responding to a query from Aurad MLA Prabhu Chouhan regarding the absence of burial grounds in several villages.
Byre Gowda expressed frustration, stating, “For the past 70 years, all governments have allocated available land to farmers and various public welfare schemes, leaving us in a situation where burial grounds are nonexistent.”
He highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts over the last decade to secure burial land for residential areas, noting that the High Court has also urged the government to address this issue. “Where government land is available, it has been earmarked for burial grounds. In areas without government land, we have reached a stage where we are ready to purchase land, having spent ₹58 crore over the past three years,” he added.
Published In Public Interest by thebengalurulive.com
Regarding the situation in Aurad, Byre Gowda informed the assembly that out of 154 residential areas, nine currently lack burial grounds. Of these, two villages have government land available, and orders have been issued to reserve land for burial sites within a week. For the remaining seven areas, land in adjacent villages will be reserved within 15 days.
Should the identified locations prove unsuitable, the government is also prepared to purchase private land. The government is committed to paying three times the guideline rate for private land acquisitions. Additionally, basic facilities, including compound water supply, will be provided by the Gram Panchayat under the MGNREGA scheme. Instructions will be issued to the Gram Panchayat CEO and district authorities regarding these developments.
About the Author
