CAG Finds Lapses in Auction of Government Lands
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in his report submitted to the Legislative Assembly on Monday, has referred to mismanagement of Government lands across the State, including lapses in auction and grant of lands. The report ‘Grant of government lands and regularization of unauthorized occupation of government land’, indicates that the consolidated database regarding extent of land available for grant/lease/auction was not available with the Government despite the Karnataka Land Grants Rules stipulating preparation and revision of list of lands annually by the tahsildars.
In the absence of the database, the report noticed handing over of the land, which had been granted already, to different persons through auctions. Following this, it has recommended for the compilation of database by the fields offices and institute mechanism for consolidation and periodic updating.
Out of 117 auction cases in Bangalore Urban and Rural districts during 2008-2009, the Government confirmed 70 cases though the deputy commissioner recommended only 36 cases, fetching more than 150 per cent of the guidance value, while it rejected 47 cases against the 81 recommended by the DC.
“The Government did not produce files relating to reversal of decision nor were specific reasons given,” the report observed. It also noted lapses in Government not forfeiting the bid amount deposits despite violations in auction conditions.
Land scams involving governmental agencies could be looked into by the CAG in the near future. “We will look at land management in a holistic way and we have to take note of public perception. If need be, the audit will focus on this issue too,” said the Principal Accountant General (Civil and Commercial audit) D.J. Bhadra
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