Karnataka Assembly clears Park land Bill amid BJP, JD(S) protests
The Karnataka Assembly passed eight Bills without discussion amid Opposition protests demanding Minister B Nagendra's resignation. Key amendments allow limited use of park land for public utility projects, enable remote property registration, regulate rural properties and seek administrative reforms for Bengaluru's transport system
Bengaluru: Eight Bills, including the one allowing portions of park and garden land to be used for public infrastructure and utility projects, were passed by the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Monday without discussion, amid the Opposition’s protest demanding the resignation of Minister B Nagendra. The Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed by the Assembly, amends the 1975 Act.
The Cabinet, which met on Friday, approved the proposed amendments to the Act, which governs prominent Bengaluru green spaces, including Cubbon Park and Lalbagh. Opposition BJP and JD(S) members, who were protesting inside the House demanding sacking of Nagendra — who is facing charges in connection with the alleged embezzlement of crores of rupees at a state-run corporation — shouted slogans criticising the government over the passage of this Bill.
The Bill explicitly permits the state government to alienate park land by way of sale, lease, gift, exchange, mortgage, or otherwise, up to an absolute limit of five per cent of the total area. This applies strictly in favour of government departments, statutory authorities, government companies, or local authorities for public utility projects.
It provides for establishing an authoritative evaluation mechanism headed by the Additional Chief Secretary to government, alongside designated officers and expert domain professionals, ensuring that any proposed land utilisation is thoroughly evaluated before any recommendation is made to the state government.
The Bill statutorily mandates that the five per cent spatial ceiling is strictly inclusive of any and all lands previously alienated, thereby safeguarding the remaining natural ecosystem. It further clarifies that standard developments by the Horticulture Department for its own administrative and allied use fall entirely outside this restriction.
It provides a specialised legal pathway for utilising minimal areas within Horticulture Farms for implementing core Horticulture Projects.
“This includes post-processing facilities, cold storage units, production of improved varieties, and agro-based industries directly beneficial to the local farming community, backed by recorded reasons demonstrating public interest and absolute necessity,” it added.
The amendment is significant in the context of the proposed 17-km tunnel road project connecting Hebbal and Central Silk Board. The project requires around six acres of Lalbagh land temporarily and one acre permanently, according to sources.
Adani Enterprises has emerged as the lowest bidder for this project. On Sunday, Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani held a meeting with Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. The Opposition BJP has attacked the Congress government over the passage of the Bill, terming it a move aimed at destroying the parks and green spaces across the state for real estate purposes.
“Adani went to Shivakumar’s house to take park lands. Shivakumar has colluded with Adani to give away land for real estate. This Congress government will get the credit for destroying the parks. For money, this government is targeting parks. Five per cent of Lalbagh would mean 10 acres of land, which they are giving away for the tunnel project. This Congress doesn’t even spare parks,” said Leader of Opposition R Ashoka and termed it as “betrayal.”
Ashoka, taking a dig at Shivakumar for meeting Adani, said, “Shivakumar should invite Nagendra home and seek his resignation.” Also passed was the Registration (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2026, to enable e-Registration / Remote Registration of some compulsory registrable documents without the physical presence of either party in the Sub- Registrar’s offices.
It also ensures due diligence in the public interest is undertaken by the Sub-Registrar at the time of property registration; integrates property software to prevent illegal registration of properties in urban areas; and simplifies property registration.
It also provides for making certified copies available through a centralised virtual distribution system to avoid delay; and imposes a penalty for fraudulently manipulating or hacking the Department portal or software.
The Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Second Amendment) Bill, passed today, aims to bring properties in rural areas without proper approval within the regulatory framework of the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, and to control such properties in the interest of public safety and health.
Because the matter was urgent and both Houses of the State Legislature were not in session, the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, was promulgated, and this Bill seeks to replace that ordinance. Also, certain other consequential amendments are made.
The Karnataka Land Revenue (Amendment) Bill, which was passed, empowers the state government to assign by order any officer to enquire into, study, or research any matters related to the provisions of the Act.
The Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill is aimed at decriminalising and rationalising offences and further enhancing trust-based governance for ease of living and doing business. It also prescribes provisions relating to compounding of offences and for appeal.
The Bill exempts establishments already registered under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, from registration. It provides for introducing electronic or digital mode of fee; and issuance of service certificate and prohibition of retention of documents.
Also passed was the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (Amendment) Bill to ensure continuity in administrative decision making in view of the imminent and pressing need to decongest traffic and address the mounting mobility challenges in Bengaluru. The Karnataka Industries (Facilitation) (Amendment) Bill and the Karnataka Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill were also passed by the Assembly.
