City Hilights: What are the plans you have for the city as such?
K.R.Rakshith: Basically, born and brought up in Mysuru, I have a special concern for the city. There are many things which needs to be done. First of all, since the Mysuru Urban Development Authority changed to Mysuru Development Authority, we should send a strong message that it's not just the name, but also the administration and everything has been changed. We need to make sure that the administration is people friendly.
CH: One of the major complaints has been delayed works in MDA. How do you address this problem?
Rakshith: It is true. I have been receiving complaints that there has been a lot of delay in getting the work done in MUDA. So, I have been discussing with various sections to find out how to cut down the lengthy office procedures which we have now. I am planning to cut down the procedures so that the work will be done as soon as possible. Basically, that's it. It should be a citizen friendly administration from our side.
CH: What about the financial status of MDA?
And coming to the MDA, next thing is the financial reforms. We need to take care of that. Basically, I have seen for many years, many people have not paid the rent and rent has not been revised and many such things. First, I plan to strengthen the financial status of MDA. That is one priority. And the next thing is, it's been almost 26 years where MUDA has formed a layout. In fact. After Rabindranath Tagore Nagar, it was done in 2008 but the land was acquired in 1999. After that, none of the layouts have been formed by MUDA.
CH: What are the reasons for not forming the new layouts?
Rakshith: Basically, the land acquisition. The next priority is to get land for the formation of new layouts. We have thousands, of applications pending. Site less people have been waiting for so many decades to get the sites. Next priority is, since I have worked as an Assistant Commissioner in Mysuru, I know a little bit of land issues. And I have been interacting with the farmers for many years. I mean, for two years. And five years back, I was a Tahsildhar of Mysuru. So, I have greater knowledge about the lands which are available around. I will discuss with the District Minister and the Deputy Commissioner and the Chief Minister. I will bring it to their notice and I will finalize the way to form a layout. That is my next priority. There are many things. Group housing and things which we will take up as a plan. Priority wise, we will slowly implement those schemes. Basically, MUDA has been formed for the development of Mysuru.
CH: My question is, when private developers can get land, why not MUDA is not getting any land in Mysuru? They know the art of acquiring land, form the sites within one year, sell sites and build apartments. Why it is not happening for our government agency like MUDA?
Rakshith: Private people doesn't have any act or rules or regulations. So, they have all the flexibility. So, in terms of the pricing, they can purchase it for 10 times the guidance value or depending on that. So, we have Land Acquisition Act. We need to adhere to it. Whatever we do, the pricing and everything, it has to be within the Act. So, maybe because of that reason, maybe we are not being successful to convince farmers to give the land because of the pricing variation.
CH: Is it pricing or delay in payment?
Rakshith: Basically, you can take it as both. Pricing as well as the rectification which we have. It will take years together. It has taken for various reasons. Maybe we will find a way out for that.
CH: One of the main allegations is that you identify land and just after identifying land, before you proceed with acquisition, those private developers, they go take farmers, take GPA from them and form layouts. How is it possible?
Rakshith: I have heard that it is happening in many places but we will make sure that it will not happen in MUDAS. If we go for any layout formation, we will make sure that it will not happen.
CH: How many applications are pending as of now?
Rakshith: That I need to see. I have called for that meeting. But how soon can you distribute site to the people? Maybe within this year. We are planning to do it within this year at least. Not the development. Maybe the allocation can start after the land acquisition process has been completed. If we can go for 50-50, then it will be easier for us. If the farmers give consent to it, there will be no court cases. The people will not go to court if they give consent. If they agree for 50-50, then we can see that option. 50 per cent of the sites in the same area will go to the farmers and 50 per cent will come to MUDA.
CH: Which are the areas to identify for for the formation of new layouts?
Rakshith: this is a closely guarded secret. . It is very early to to say about it. I need to see the area and discuss with my higher ups and I need to bring it to their notice. After that only I can tell about it.
CH: Will it be after 10-15 kms after Mysuru or within that radius?
Rakshith: That we need to see. Most of our local planning, LPA, per cent of the LPA is almost developed. So we are planning to extend the LPA as well. So even that... But also our... We have a proposal in mind to expand our LPA. But also we instructed them to prepare a proposal. After that we will discuss with the concerned and we will send the proposal.
CH: From MUDA to become MDA, it took nearly 20-30 years. What changes you are planning to make after it become MDA?
Rakshith: That's what I said. Basically the administration, we need to bring out a lot of changes in the administration. It has to be season friendly and MDA was in use for various reasons. From now onwards at least I plan to make sure that it will be in use for good reasons. It will be in use for the good reasons.
We will move in a positive way from now onwards.
CH: When we will have this site on demand? If I come with cash, I can buy site. How soon we can expect that one in Mysuru?
Rakshith: In 15 days, we are going for auction now. Okay. We are auctioning around 200 CA sites. That will happen maybe mid-June. Also we are planning to give around 100 CA sites for the government purpose. Not for the private parts. Only for government institutions, college, hostels and hospitals. For those things, we have identified around 80-90. 90 CSlA sites. That will be given to them. That will also happen in a month or so.
CH: What about for the citizens?
Rakshith: For regular people. Also we have planned to give some sites for the ex-servicemen under special quota. But also we have it in mind. So let us see how it goes.