The BJP has put the Congress government in Karnataka on the mat over its latest promise by Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda to allot sites to retired soldiers. The BJP questioned on what basis the announcement is being made, when similar promises made in 2015 remain unfulfilled.

Senior BJP leader SR Vishwanath questioned that, when soldiers who risk their lives to protect the country continue to wait for sites promised to them years ago, now the Revenue Minister makes new promises when land is yet to be properly identified or allocated to those soldiers promised earlier.

“In the Assembly session yesterday, the Harihar MLA had raised the issue of sites for former soldiers. In Ghattaganahalli in Yelahanka constituency, the government had identified land and allocated sites to former soldiers in 2015," Vishwanath said.

“I have held more than ten meetings regarding this issue. But till now, the Revenue Department has neither identified the land properly nor handed it over," he added.

The row erupted in the Legislative Assembly after Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda announced that the government would develop localities and allot sites to retired soldiers across the state this year while responding to a question raised by BJP MLA BP Harish.

“This year, across the state, the pending applications of retired soldiers will be considered. The government will develop localities and allot sites to soldiers this year," Byre Gowda told the House, adding that earlier there were no proper records of applications submitted by soldiers, but the data is now available following digitisation.

He also said land to be acquired in the second phase has already been identified and the government will examine eligibility during the allotment process.

The BJP leader accused revenue officials of delaying the process while allegedly favouring private parties.

“If it is for private parties, officials immediately knock on doors and hand over the land. But revenue officers and tahsildars have put retired soldiers through immense hardship," Vishwanath said.

“In this government, Revenue Department officials do not even listen to the Revenue Minister. Former soldiers have told us that officials even demand money from them," he alleged, claiming that government land had been divided and sold to private parties.

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