Regional News

District-Level SIT to Resolve Forest-Revenue Land Disputes: Minister Krishna Byre Gowda

By Editor

Posted on March 17, 2026

Mangaluru: Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda announced that a district-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be formed to identify and report on the demarcation of forest and revenue lands, following orders from the Supreme Court. Speaking at the inauguration of the ‘Praja Soudha’ (Taluk Administrative Center) in Mulki on Saturday, he stated that the government is taking the long-standing land disputes seriously to alleviate the hardships faced by farmers. Joint surveys are being initiated to separate forest and revenue land in areas previously sanctioned to farmers, and Deputy Commissioners across all districts have been directed to expedite this process.

The Minister highlighted significant progress in land plotting and documentation. While farmers had struggled for years with unplotted land, the government has now taken a proactive role, with 60,943 people in the district receiving plotting services over the last two years, leading to the distribution of RTCs (Pahani) to 23,620 farmers. Additionally, 2.20 lakh people have received title deeds under the 94C and 94CC schemes for regularizing residential sites. The ‘E-Pauti’ campaign has also successfully transferred land records to 60,000 legal heirs. Furthermore, pending cases in Tahsildar and AC courts have been drastically reduced through dedicated campaigns.

To enhance public convenience, land records are now available online 24/7, accessible via computers and mobile phones. Minister Krishna Byre Gowda noted that approximately 73 crore pages of revenue documents have been scanned across the state in the last two years. He also announced an additional grant of Rs 1.60 crore for the Mulki Praja Soudha to provide a compound wall and other necessary facilities. He emphasized that the name ‘Praja Soudha’ reflects the government’s philosophy that officials exist to serve the citizens.

District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, also present at the event, emphasized the focus on investment and tourism for the district’s development. He mentioned the recent budget allocation for a Global Capacity Centre (GCC) and a Rs 70 crore grant for a new OPD block at Wenlock Hospital. To improve clinical services in taluk hospitals like Moodbidri and Bantwal, the government is partnering with three private medical colleges to provide more doctors and nursing staff. Member of Parliament Captain Brijesh Chowta urged the Revenue Minister to resolve forest-land issues specifically in Puttur, Sullia, Kadaba, and Belthangady, and noted that approval has been granted for service roads along the National Highway from Talapady to Kundapura.