Bengaluru palace act comes into effect

Bengaluru
 

 The Bengaluru Palace Land Regulation Act has officially come into effect as of yesterday. The Karnataka government issued the gazette notification, making the law operational following the Governor’s approval on Wednesday. With this, the state government now has the authority to regulate land use within the Bengaluru Palace Grounds and proceed with developmental projects. The Act specifically allows the government to utilize portions of the palace land for road widening and other public infrastructure works. As per the Supreme Court’s directive, the government must provide Transferable Development Rights (TDR) worth ₹3,414 crore to the royal family. This amount includes ₹3,014 crore for 15.39 acres of land needed for road expansion, along with compensation for land already used. However, instead of transferring the TDR amount to the royal family, the government has decided to deposit it with the Supreme Court. The High Court has already validated the government's claim over the palace land, while the case remains under Supreme Court review. In technical terms, 472.16 acres of land is now considered state property. Given the Supreme Court’s mandate to provide TDR, the government has introduced this new law to avoid judicial contempt and ensure future land acquisitions for road expansion. However, opposition parties have strongly criticized this move, alleging that the government is engaging in political vendetta against the royal family. The controversy surrounding the Bengaluru Palace Act is expected to intensify in the coming days, as legal and political debates continue.