In an effort to address irregular property registrations, the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) has revoked Property Identification Numbers (PIDs) assigned to 31 unauthorized buildings within the city, raising concerns among residents of similar structures. BCC commissioner Kartik M issued two directives on April 24, revoking 17 PIDs in one instance and 14 in another.
All affected properties are apartments located in two complexes situated in Ward No. 9, built on land acquired through Rs 100 stamp paper agreements without valid or registered land documentation. This action has intensified worries among owners of buildings constructed on unregistered plots who allegedly secured PIDs in collusion with municipal officials. Both apartment complexes are located within the Belagavi South Assembly constituency, which is represented by BJP MLA Abhay Patil.
While this initiative is viewed as a crucial measure to rectify irregularities in PID issuance, it has also prompted inquiries regarding whether similar actions will be implemented across the city’s 58 wards, where numerous unauthorized constructions are suspected to exist. Sources indicate that a significant number of suspected cases are concentrated in the Belagavi North Assembly constituency, represented by Congress MLA Asif Sait.
In a statement , Kartik M noted that the decision was informed by an inquiry report that confirmed the buildings’ unauthorized status. “An inquiry against the involved officials has also been initiated,” he stated.
The investigation was carried out by Priyanka Vinayak during her time as the commissioner of the South division. The examination revealed that all 31 properties were situated within the buffer zone of a drain, rendering them ineligible for PID allocation. The report assigned accountability to several officials, including the former divisional commissioner Dharmanath Kori, assistant revenue officer Parshuram Metri, revenue inspector Priya Lakshmipur, and bill collector Prakash Seth Sanadi.
During a review meeting of the revenue department, revenue deputy commissioner Sidhu Hulloli acknowledged the fraudulent activity and identified the officials involved, indicating that they had confessed to their participation in the issuance of the PIDs.
