Note: Simple Application of RTI.. Worth looking at how it was USED.
http://www.bangaloremirror.com/index.aspx?page=article§id=1&contentid=2010040520100405092320393f4093bf3 Work began on the controversial war memorial near Raj Bhavan in defiance of Governor H R Bhardwaj. Besides Bhardwaj, citizens are opposing it because it will mean several trees are cut. The National Military Memorial at the Indira Gandhi Musical Park on Raj Bhavan Road is proposed on a 6.22 acre plot, the current market value of which is a staggering Rs 500 crore. *DEEWAR! Work has begun on the memorial* *The spot marked in the park before the government put up brick columns* Sunday morning walkers were shocked to find six brick columns coming up to mark the memorial. *NO! Governor H R Bhardwaj and MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar (left)* “They are going ahead even if they have to chop a lot of trees,” rued a young walker. Bhardwaj had written to Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa suggesting that the memorial be shifted to an open space, and not entrusted to a private trust. He had said: “You are aware that there is a national policy on setting up of war memorials in such a way that they do not create any environmental and civic problems, and hence must be located in open areas with plenty of space around them.” The project is being spearheaded by the executive committee for the National Military Memorial Trust headed by businessman-MP Rajeev Chandrashekar, the moving spirit behind the project. Bharadwaj also cited the example of the Police Memorial in Delhi, which was shifted out of the diplomatic area on a suggestion from the union cabinet. But his suggestion has fallen on deaf ears as construction has commenced. Said Abhay Jain, a resident of the area: “It is a normal procedure when large structures are coming up to build kaccha brick walls to get the angles right and mark the foundation. That is what seems to be happening here.” The government’s preparations for the memorial don’t stop there. The BDA has formally constituted a National Military Memorial Sub Division which will be headed by an executive engineer. Bangalore Mirror tried through Sunday evening to contact Rajeev Chandrashekar, but he did not pick up the phone. *War Memorial: A Reality Check* The controversy surrounding the proposed War Memorial at Indira Gandhi Musical Park on Raj Bhavan Road has taken an interesting turn with several contradictions coming to the fore after a resident sought information on the issue using RTI Act. Cubbonpet 12th Cross resident T Ashok had filed an RTI application with the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), which is executing the project following instructions from Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. Ashok had asked seven questions in the application, but the BDA’s replies contradicted what the other stakeholders, including the executive committee members, said. *Bangalore Mirror gives you a peek into the contradicting answers:* *1. How many trees do you plan to cut down? * *BDA:* Four trees will be cut down for the project. *Committee member Lt Col G V Sreedhar (retd):* Around 22 trees will be cut down. *Committee member Air Commodore Chandrashekar (retd):* Only two trees will be felled. *Green activists and residents:* *A whopping 31 trees! 2. Please specify the type of trees that will be cut down? * *BDA:* Only eucalyptus and Ashoka trees will be cut down. *Lt Col Sreedhar:* A couple of heritage trees may have to be axed for the project. *Committee member Subhashini Vasanth:* Only eucalyptus trees will be felled. *Green activists:* It's not just eucalyptus trees. Other species will also be axed. *3. Has permission been taken to cut these trees? BDA:* Yes, permission has been taken for cutting these trees. *Residents ask:* The law clearly states that no permission is required for cutting down eucalyptus and Ashoka trees. So which are the trees that the BDA has been given permission to cut down? *4. Please provide drawings and plans of the structure. BDA:* The design makes no reference to a probable parking entry to the right of the park where the energy park is currently situated and shows only the exhibition hall a built up structure. *National Military Memorial Executive Committee:* The plan sent by the committee shows a probable parking place to the right of the main entrance. *Lt Col Sreedhar:* There will be war machines and even a water tank on the premises to store water for the maintenance of the park which is not shown in the plan. *Residents:* What are you talking about without a detailed plan? *5. What is the area of the structure that will be built? BDA:* The motivation hall will have a built up area of 10,000 sq feet *Residents ask:* How can chopping down only 4 trees provide space for construction of a 10,000 sq feet structure on a plot which has a tree at every few feet. *6. What is the cost of the project? BDA:* Rs 12.2 crore *Rajeev Chandrashekar:* Approximately Rs 5 crore.tree at every few feet. *7. Who will have the ownership of the land after the memorial is built? BDA:* Home department will be responsible for the land *Subhashini Vasanth:* The memorial will be handed over and looked after by the National Military Memorial Trust (yet to be formed). *State government sources:* The land will be with the government as the chairman of the project is the Chief Minister. *Governor and the residents ask:* Why should a civic amenities site that belongs to the people be handed over to a private trust? *Stake Holders: *The idea of a war memorial was first mooted by ABide and then taken forward by Flags of Honor, a private trust. The project is headed by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. The logistics are being looked after by a core executive committee comprised of Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrashekar, Air Commodore Chandrashekar (Rtd), Lt Col G V Sreedhar (Rtd), General Nanjappa (Rtd), Col Vivek Boppaiaha (Rtd) and Subhashini Vasanth *Memorial Stats: * Location: Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain Park Land allotted for the Memorial: 6.5 acres (approx) Price of land at Raj Bhavan Road: Rs 20,000 per square feet Estimated Value of the land: Rs 500 crore Anilkumar BVN
