Mangaluru: “During the Chief Ministerial tenure of B S Yeddyurappa, title deeds were distributed to eligible people free of cost. But, the present Congress-led state government has been collecting Rs 10,000 from poor towards title deeds for three cents of land,” alleged MLC and former minister Kota Srinivas Poojary.

Addressing a protest rally against Mangaluru North MLA B A Mohiyuddin Bava at Bajpe on Thursday, he promised to provide title deeds to the eligible free of cost if BJP comes to power in the state.

Kota further, said that the dilly dallying process of the distribution of title deeds to the needy indicates the government’s negligent attitude. Moreover, the financially less privileged who have been residing in government lands, are being forced to shell out money towards the title deeds.

Around 9.5 lakh people have applied for title deeds and 35,000 people are eligible to get title deeds in Mangaluru, while 27,000 people are to be provided with title deeds in Udupi.

He pointed out that during the programme in which Revenue Minister Kagodu Timmappa attended, only five title deeds were distributed and the rest were told that they will get the records next week.

Even though the Deputy Commissioner had recommended issuing title deeds to the poor residents residing in deemed forests, the government is not willing to provide them the title deeds.

Mangaluru North BJP committee president Dr Bharat Shetty criticised the move of MLA Mohiyuddin Bava, of making the beneficiaries wait till night for title deeds.

ZP member Janardana Gowda and Satyajit Suratkal also spoke.

A protest rally was taken out from Gurpur Kaikamba to Naadakatcheri. The protesters shouted slogans against Mohiyuddin Bava and alleged that MLA Bava has misused his power in providing title deeds, they said.

A memorandum was submitted to the Deputy Tahsildar.