"We don't encourage illegal construction": DK Shivakumar vows action against officials over illegal housing in Bengaluru

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], December 29 (ANI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday reiterated that the state government will take strict action against the officials who allowed illegal construction of houses, after visiting the Kogilu Fakir Colony amid the illegal house demolition drive.
He also noted that evictees will be provided accommodation under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing scheme, adding that the state government will not allow slums to encroach on Bengaluru.
"We will take action against those officers who have let this happen to build houses illegally. But on humanitarian grounds, we are accommodating them in the CM housing scheme, the 1 lakh housing scheme. We will give houses to genuine cases. We don't encourage illegal construction. We will not let slums be built in Bengaluru. 15 acres have already been given to our corporation for solid waste management. We don't let anyone do politics over this," he said.
Earlier today, Shivakumar visited the Kogilu Fakir Colony to inspect the situation. He said that the government had been giving solid waste management for 9-10 years.
"They have built all the houses on the garbage dump, some people are mixing politics... The Kerala government has gone out to show sympathy to the minorities, but here, everyone is cheering me. Some people have taken money and built illegal houses..." he said.
He said that a meeting has been called by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to address the situation. Shivakumar has visited the place to inspect it before the meeting. He stated that strict action will be taken against the "land thieves."
"There is an image of who took the money, and we will take action against those who took the money. We cannot give a chance to land thieves..." he said. (ANI)