Should real estate guide state moves?

Deputy chief minister D. K. Shivakumar’s proposal to merge Kanakapura into Bengaluru and renaming Ramanagara district as ‘Bengaluru South’ has stirred a controversy.

Former chief minister and Janata Dal Secular State President H. D. Kumaraswamy has threatened to go on a fast unto death if the Government goes ahead with the proposal to rename the district.

Better prices for land and boost in brand value of the places coming under “Bengaluru South” were cited as reasons why D. K. Shivakumar has floated the proposal.

New districts are carved out or merger of areas to existing district is done for bringing about administrative efficiency. It is rather odd to find that landed gentry is being enticed into accepting the offer for the promise of land value following the area’s conversion from a rural to urban land.

And the idea has been mooted by a minister with high stakes in terms of land he owns. It is reasonable to ask if this could be a valid reason for renaming.

Where do the people of the region count in the scheme? A government is supposed to act in the interest and wellbeing of the people in general, and not to boost commercial prospects of landed gentry.

Wouldn’t the decision hurt the people who are desirous of buying of land to put up their homes? If this is true, and so is the case with most people in a rural area, Mr. Shivakumar must be aware of it and should not have spoken his mind in the manner he did.

Moreover the proposal is a personal idea of Mr. Shivakumar and does not have the seal of consent of the state cabinet as it is evident from the reply of chief minister Mr. Siddramaiah.

A minister ought not be working for the personal profit as it could be gleaned from the reports in the mainstream press.