Department of Horticulture alleges that the Department of Tourism is intruding in its jurisdiction

The controversial Cubbon Park Management Authority (CPMA), a proposed autonomous body to manage the lung space and develop it as a tourism hub, has been caught in a bitter turf war between the Horticulture and Tourism Departments.

CPMA was proposed as part of the Karnataka Tourism Vision Group, appointed by the government. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced formation of the Authority in his 2014-15 budget speech, under the ‘tourism’ head.

However, a note seeking approval from the government did not even find its way to the cabinet, as the Department of Horticulture alleged that the Department of Tourism was unduly intruding in its jurisdiction through CPMA, sources said.

The cabinet note was prepared by the Tourism Department. It envisages the CPMA to be on the lines of English Heritage in England, an executive public body for the protection of historical buildings and monuments in that country. CPMA was to be headed by a private individual with representatives from all government departments that have a stake in the park. The Authority had envisaged to re-purpose some of the buildings in the area to provide for tourist attractions, sources said.

Alternative proposal

Meanwhile, sources said, the Horticulture Department has now proposed an alternative CPMA headed by the Horticulture Minister instead of a private individual as a face saver for the government since it was announced by the chief minister. The CPMA proposed by the Department of Horticulture would have six members from the public of which one would be the non-executive vice-chairperson.

Also, the CPMA is caught up in another tangle — over jurisdiction. Lokayukta has ordered the City Survey Department, Survey Settlement and Land Records to conduct a survey of the Cubbon Park area and fix its boundaries, as there have been multiple notifications issued by the State government demarcating the Cubbon Park area. The survey report is expected by November second week. CPMA is likely to be withheld till the boundaries are finalised in the survey.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by K. V. Aditya Bharadwaj / Bangalore – September 30th, 2014