DKS hosts Guj Cong MLAS in a resort built on encroached government land

The Eagleton Resort where Gujarat legislators are put up in the City, is steeped in controversy over alleged encroachment of government land, reports Kannada Prabha.

The Eagleton Resort at Bidadi has encroached 105 acres of government land. Of this the government seized 28 acres and ordered the resort to pay the market value at per sqft for the rest 77 acres. The Supreme Court had ordered the resort to pay Rs 989 crore as fine. The court also ruled that the resort can pay the full amount of the land value and retain the ownership. The advocates representing the resort had agreed to pay the fine. However, no time limit was fixed for paying the fine. The State government had debated this at the legislature and had ruled to recover the fine amount in total. It was decided to issue orders to the resort owner to pay the fine and in case it was not paid to confiscate the land.

Now, the Gujarat MLAs are staying at the same resort has invited caustic comments with this the Congress government too has invited another unwanted controversy.

The MLAs from Gujarat are in Bidadi since two days. Another batch is expected to arrive shortly, after which tours will be organised for them to visit religious places or tourists spots. MLC CM Lingappa, who met the MLAs at the resort shared their daily routine. He said they are all very happy with the arrangement. Special Gujarati style food is prepared for them. Orchestra and dances were also organised for their entertainment.

Energy Minister DK Shivakumar who has been given the responsibility of their safety said the MLAs are being given orientation classes by ABIC leaders. “The tour places and dates are finalised. Hence they are not going anywhere. It is difficult to take them out as a big group. It will invite unwanted rumours. Hence the MLAs are engaged in walking and yoga exercises inside the resort itself” he said. Dehgaon MLA Kaminiba Rathod celebrated her daughter’s birthday at the resort on a grand scale. Her entire family is staying at the resort. A 50 kg cake was cut and a grand party was thrown to all MLAs. In the afternoon, Kaminiba went to the City for shopping amidst tight security and with some State Congress leaders accompanying her.

In the wake of controversy over their expenses, minister Shivakumar clarified that he alone was bearing their expenses and not the state government, as reported in the media. 

In Lucknow BJP president Amit Shah has criticised the Congress MLAs going to Bengaluru as “stealing” . He told media persons on Monday that “Congress talks about Gujarat but why have they hidden MLAs under lock and key in Bengaluru?,” reports Kannada Prabha.

• Eagleton Resort encroached government land
• karnataka