BDA offers up to Rs 4 lakh reward for tips on encroached properties

The Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) has announced cash rewards of up to Rs 4 lakh for information about its illegally occupied properties or those linked to forged documents, marking the first time it has offered such incentives. The rewards, detailed in an October 12 notification, vary by site size: Rs 50,000 for a 20 ft × 30 ft site, Rs 1 lakh for a 30 ft × 40 ft site, Rs 2 lakh for a 40 ft × 60 ft site, and Rs 4 lakh for a 50 ft × 80 ft site or multi-storey building. Payments will follow reverification of claims, with informant identities kept confidential. The scheme, based on a December 7, 2006 board decision, comes as the BDA targets Rs 10,000 crore from land monetisation for projects like the Bengaluru Business Corridor and Peripheral Ring Road. The authority has developed nearly 70 residential layouts with over two lakh sites, including Jayanagar and Indiranagar.