Karnataka Government Moves to Control Mysuru Royals' Palace Grounds Land
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Synopsis
The Karnataka cabinet, led by CM Siddaramaiah, has decided to govern the Bengaluru Palace Grounds land, owned by the Mysuru royal family, who plan to take legal action. Minister H.K. Patil discussed the recent ordinance and its implications for development and compensation regarding the land.
Key Takeaways
- The Karnataka cabinet has approved the management of the Bengaluru Palace Grounds.
- The Mysuru royal family intends to contest the government’s actions legally.
- New ordinance empowers government control over the land.
- The Bengaluru road-widening project has been halted due to legal complications.
- Plans are underway to develop surrounding towns to manage population density.
Bengaluru, Jan 30 (NationPress) The Karnataka cabinet, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has opted to utilise and oversee the land associated with the Bengaluru Palace Grounds, situated in the bustling heart of Bengaluru city.
The land is owned by the Mysuru royal family, who have announced their intention to pursue legal action against this decision.
Speaking to the press, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs H.K. Patil outlined that the cabinet deliberated on the execution of the Bengaluru Palace Grounds Usage and Regulation Ordinance, 2025, which was enacted on January 29, 2025.
“The Governor has granted approval for the ordinance. This ordinance empowers the government to utilise and manage the land. We are committed to implementing it and will exercise the necessary powers conferred upon us,” he stated.
Patil continued: “I prefer not to delve into the specifics of the rental arrangements for the Bengaluru Palace Grounds land. There is ongoing litigation with the royal family regarding our authority, but we maintain that there are unauthorized structures involved. I will refrain from further elaboration.
He emphasized that the Ordinance has conferred authority upon the government, which will act in accordance with its provisions.
“The Ordinance is now in effect, and we will take appropriate actions shortly,” he reiterated.
Minister Patil remarked that a Supreme Court ruling on December 10, 2024, which mandated the government to compensate for 15 acres of the Bengaluru Palace Grounds via Transferable Development Rights (TDR), has rendered the road expansion initiative impractical. The substantial compensation amounts are contrary to public interest and policy.
To mitigate adverse effects on the state, the Bengaluru road-widening project is being halted in the public's best interests, as stated under Section 3 of the Bengaluru Palace Grounds Usage and Regulation Ordinance, 2025.
Earlier, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that the government's choice to enact an ordinance for the acquisition of the valuable Bengaluru Palace Grounds, owned by the Mysuru royal family, is not motivated by hostility.
Reports indicate that Siddaramaiah has accelerated the government's legal pursuit in the Supreme Court to seize the Bengaluru Palace and its surroundings, following the royal family scion Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar's participation as a BJP candidate in the Mysuru-Kodagu Lok Sabha election.
Mysuru is Siddaramaiah's hometown, where he faced a setback as Yaduveer achieved a significant victory against the Congress candidate M. Laxman, a close associate of Siddaramaiah.
In 2015, Siddaramaiah had declared that his administration would hasten legal actions to claim the Palace Grounds.
Responding to this situation, Mysuru’s Maharani Pramoda Devi Wadiyar stated that they would engage in a legal struggle if any injustice were inflicted upon them concerning the Bengaluru Palace issue.
Minister H.K. Patil also highlighted that the cabinet's meeting on Thursday resolved to manage the population density in Bengaluru by enhancing the development of adjacent towns and cities. Areas like Devanahalli, Magadi, Nelamangala, Hosakote, Doddaballapur, and Bidadi will be evolved into satellite townships with improved road and rail access.
Additionally, the cabinet endorsed the implementation of the “Greater Bengaluru Samagra Upanagara” initiative to advance 10 villages in the Ramanagara district under the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority. Approval has been granted to acquire 8,032 acres of land, with a decision made to offer compensation for developed land amounting to 35 to 50 percent to farmers. The planned townships will be designed by firms selected through international tenders.
Furthermore, the cabinet agreed to increase the reservation quota for athletes from 2 percent to 3 percent in direct police department recruitment, ranging from police constable to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP).
The Bidar City Municipal Council will be transitioned into the Bidar City Corporation.
Additionally, the cabinet resolved to merge or dissolve public companies. Among the 125 public companies in the state, 34 are profitable, 33 are incurring losses, and 16 are non-operational and will be closed.
It has also been decided to retain L.K. Ateeq in the role of Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister on a contractual basis after his retirement.
