The Lokayukta has registered a suo motu complaint against the Bagalkot Town Development Authority for not providing compensation for land acquired 20 years ago from farmer Basavaraj Doddamani.

Upalokayukta B. Veerappa has sought a report from officers on dereliction of duty and issued summons to five officials to appear before the Lokayukta court on July 27.

This follows a reported assault by the farmer Doddamani on a Bagalkot Town Development Authority case worker Neelkanth Ankad in his office a few days ago.

The farmer was reportedly upset with delay in the release of compensation for acquisition of his four acres of land. The police arrested Doddamani on the charge of assaulting the officer on duty.

Five officers, the Town Planning Member and Assistant Executive Engineer, Office Manager of Land Compensation Distribution Branch, Special Land Acquisition Officer, Rehabilitation Officer and the local Tahsildar, have been asked to respond with adequate documents during the hearing to be held on July 27.

The notice has sought responses to some questions, including how many acres of land have been acquired for rehabilitation in the last 25 years?, how many beneficiaries have been given compensation and how many applications are pending?, how many plots in the constructed layouts have the authority kept without auctioning? and how many beneficiaries have been issued title deeds?

It has pointed out that not giving timely and fair compensation to land losing farmers is an indication of dereliction of duty, corruption and maladministration. The act also amounts to violation of the rights of the farmer under Articles 14, 21 and 300A of the Constitution.

Copies of the notice have been sent to the Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department and Deputy Commissioner of Bagalkot for information and supervision.