8 Bills passed in Karnataka Assembly without discussion

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 DK 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.