Beggars wont be moved

BANGALORE: The State Government on Wednesday submitted in the High Court that it will direct the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) not to displace beggars from Beggars Colony near Sumanahalli on Magadi Road till a new rehabilitation facility comes up.The petitioner, B Krishna Bhat, had filed a PIL stating that tha BDA is constructing a convention centre, a star hotel, commercial and retail centres, office space and entertainment centre on the land allotted for beggar’s rehabilitation centre.The division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Vikramjit Sen and Justice A S Bopanna hearing the petition adjourned the matter for further hearing to September 28. The petitioner alleged that in June 2010, a government order was passed transferring 123 acres of land to the BDA. After giving away small parcels of land to others, only 38 acres were left for the Beggars Colony out of the original 318 acres.He further argued that the public land meant for relief and receiving centres was being taken away for commercial development by the BDA. The land was acquired for setting up a rehabilitation centre for beggars.