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Bengaluru, Oct 25 (IANS) Union Heavy Industries and Steel Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday said converting B account to A account is completely fake, adding that it is nothing but an extortion scheme hatched by the Congress-led government to loot money.
He said, “Nobody should pay money for account conversion. In two years, when the JD(S)-BJP coalition government comes to power, we will complete it at minimal cost to you (people). Don’t fall into the fake allurements of this government. This is my open call to the people of Bengaluru.”
He also attacked the Congress government over the sixth guarantee program to convert B accounts into A accounts.
He alleged that the Congress government was committing “broad daylight robbery”, adding that the government was using people to “extort money”.
He said, “Under no circumstances should you pay a single rupee. For any reason you should not proceed with account conversion in the next two years. Do not be misled by their words. It is our responsibility to protect you and protect your interests.”
He claimed that after two years, when his coalition government will come, they will ensure the simplest and easiest account change without any financial burden on the people.
He said, “People are struggling to repay the loans taken for property. Do not borrow lakhs of rupees once again to open an account. Do not fall into the trap of another loan. Already, people are burdened with price rise and tax. At such a time, this government has come up with the so-called A account scheme, claiming it as a Diwali gift and their sixth guarantee.”
Kumaraswamy also claimed that this government has been flooding the public with advertisements about this fake program for the last 15 days.
“This is nothing but fooling the people of the state. Who said that account change should not be done? The question is why lakhs should be recovered in its name?” He said.
People of Bengaluru have been facing this problem since 1995, he said, adding that this problem is also present in rural areas.
“In 1997, an order was passed. By 2003, the then Deve Gowda government divided the 60 municipal wards into 90 and created new municipalities and city councils, as the outskirts of Bengaluru were not much developed then. In 1997, the rate was fixed at Rs 110 per square meter. Through Form 19, the account was issued. For a 30×40 site, the rate was Rs. had increased to 12,263, and For land conversion, Rs 1,500 was collected,” the minister explained.
“In 2007, when I was the CM, a central government program for urban development over five years was launched. I emphasized on the development of Bengaluru and Mysuru. BBMP was created with 198 wards by merging 110 villages. A comprehensive development plan of Rs 25,000 crore was prepared for Bengaluru and Mysuru.
At that time, we fixed clear rates for account conversion, Rs 200 per square meter for up to 60 square meters, Rs 400 for 60-120 square meters and Rs 600 for above 120 square meters. Then some people went to court. The court directed to give the account within 15 days. Since then, the government and BBMP have collected funds for the account. Now why should he press charges again?” He said.
The Union Minister said that Bengaluru is a rapidly growing city. Its development cannot be ignored, he said, adding that unplanned and unsafe constructions are causing trouble to citizens.
“In this sequence, the government claims that account conversion is needed due to such issues. Are B account houses falling in the rain? Is that why they are creating A account? Is this credible?” He said.
Kumaraswamy alleged, “How long will you keep looting people in broad daylight? Your bad times have begun. Whenever we speak for the people, you accuse us of jealousy. There is no such thing as a B account or an A account. As if this was not enough, now they are bringing in OC (occupancy certificate) and CC (completion certificate). They say 70 per cent of the people will benefit from the OC relaxation,” Kumaraswamy alleged.
–IANS
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