V. Somanna

V. Somanna
Minister of Infrastructure Development Government of Karnataka
Incumbent
Assumed office 4 August 2021
Chief Minister	Basavaraj Bommai
Preceded by	Anand Singh
Minister of Housing Government of Karnataka
Incumbent
Assumed office 20 August 2019
Chief Minister	B. S. Yediyurappa Basavaraj Bommai
Preceded by	M. T. B. Nagaraj
In office 12 December 2010 – 13 May 2013
Chief Minister	B. S. Yediyurappa Sadananda Gowda Jagadish Shettar
Preceded by	Katta Subramanya Naidu
Succeeded by	Ambareesh
In office 18 June 2009 – 31 August 2009
Chief Minister	B. S. Yediyurappa
Preceded by	S. N. Krishnaiah Shetty
Succeeded by	Katta Subramanya Naidu
Minister of Horticulture Government of Karnataka
In office 27 September 2019 – 10 February 2020
Chief Minister	B. S. Yediyurappa
Preceded by	M. C. Managuli
Succeeded by	Narayana Gowda
Minister of Sericulture Government of Karnataka
In office 27 September 2019 – 10 February 2020
Preceded by	S. R. Mahesh
Succeeded by	Narayana Gowda
Minister of Food & Civil Supplies Government of Karnataka
In office 22 September 2010 – 12 December 2010
Chief Minister	B. S. Yediyurappa
Preceded by	Haratalu Halappa
Succeeded by	Shobha Karandlaje
Minister of Muzrai Government of Karnataka
In office 18 June 2009 – 31 August 2009
Chief Minister	B. S. Yediyurappa
Preceded by	S. N. Krishnaiah Shettty
Succeeded by	J. Krishna Palemar
Member of Karnataka Legislative Council
In office 15 June 2010 – 15 May 2018
Succeeded by	H. M. Ramesh Gowda
Constituency	elected by Legislative Assembly members
Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly
Incumbent
Assumed office 2018
Preceded by	Priya Krishna
Constituency	Govindraj Nagar
In office 2008–2009
Preceded by	Seat established
Succeeded by	Priya Krishna
Constituency	Govindraj Nagar
In office 1994–2008
Preceded by	Naseer Ahmed
Succeeded by	Seat disestablished
Constituency	Binnypet
Personal details
Born	(1950-07-20) 20 July 1950 Doddamaralavadi
Political party	Bharatiya Janata party
Residence	Kanakapura and Bengaluru

Veeranna Somanna is an Indian politician who is the current minister of housing and Infrastructure Development department of Karnataka from 4 August 2021. He is a Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Govindraj Nagara constituency from May 2018.

(On 10 June 2016, he was re-elected to the Karnataka Legislative Council. He secured 31 votes of BJP MLAs.)

Personal life

V. Somanna: Born on 20 July 1951 to Veeranna and Kempamma in Doddamaralavadi of Ramanagar district. He is married to Smt. Shailaja and has three children.

Positions held

• 1983 - 1987: Elected to Bangalore Mahanagara Palike
• 1994 - MLA from Binny pet on Janata Dal ticket
• 1996 - 1999: Minister for Prisons, Minister for Bangalore Urban Development
• 1999 - Elected from Binnypet as an Independent
• 2004 - Elected for a third time on a Congress ticket
• 2008 - Elected from Govindarajan nagar on a Congress ticket
• 2010 - 2018: Member of Karnataka Legislative Council
• 2018–present: Elected for a second time on a BJP ticket
• 2019 - 2020: Minister of Horticulture and Sericulture
• 2021–present: Minister for Housing and Minister for Infrastructure and Development

Social accomplishments and religious affiliation

Has cordial relationship and attachments with Swamijis of various Veera Shaiva Mutts right from Bidar to Chamarajanagar and across the State. Also, hugely supported by all other community leaders and Swamijis. Participated in Nation Rebuilding Campaign started by Sri. Jayaprakash Narayan. Successfully lead many social, religious and cultural events. Participated in various public movements and fought for the public cause.

Development of Bangalore City during the Tenure as Minister for Bangalore development

BENGALURU METRO: Considering the heavy vehicular traffic in Bengaluru city Metro Rail service was conceptualized for the first time during 1997-99 under the guidance of the then Chief Minister Sri. J.H.Patel. Now the Bengaluru Metro has become a reality and serves the commuters thus easing the traffic of Bengaluru City to a great extent.

FLYOVERS AND UNDERPASS: Flyovers and underpasses were conceptualized for the first time in Bengaluru during 1997 to 1999 to ease out heavy traffic in the city and the first flyover of the city was built from Sirsi Circle to K.R. Market on Mysore Road and underpass was built at Mekhri Circle. Many under bridges were constructed subsequently.

CAUVERY 4TH STAGE – DRINKING WATER TO BENGALURU CITY: Considering the scarcity of drinking water in the ever-expanding city Cauvery 4th stage 1st and 2nd unit project was conceptualized and completed to supply Cauvery water to the city. Thus in 1999, started supplying 270 MLD water to Bengaluru city from Thorekadanahalli.

Key initiatives of the Housing Department

• COMPLETION OF PENDING HOUSES: Historic decision was taken with the approval of the Cabinet to reserve Rs.10,194.40 Crores for completion of 9.74 Lakhs houses which were pending for about eight to ten years. This amount will be released in a phase-wise manner in the next 2 years for the completion of these 9.74 Lakhs houses, which are in various stages of construction. 2.08 Lakhs of houses have been constructed by the corporation during the tenure of present Government.
• DEVELOPMENT OF VIGIL APP : In order to avoid misuse of grants with respect to housing schemes, VIGIL APP has been developed and Verification Committees under the Chairmanship of DC for Urban Areas and CEO for Rural Areas have been set up with a view to bring transparency in release of grants directly to the beneficiaries’ bank account. After the verification of records pertaining to 3.41 Lakh of beneficiaries, grants to a tune of Rs.1,574.02 Crores have been released directly to the Bank Accounts of the eligible beneficiaries. Introduction of VIGIL APP software has facilitated to detect 7,297 ineligible beneficiaries, thus by saving approximate amount of Rs.100 Crores to the State Exchequer.

Key initiatives of the Housing Department

1. COMPLETION OF PENDING HOUSES: Historic decision was taken with the approval of the Cabinet to reserve Rs.10,194.40 Crores for completion of 9.74 Lakhs houses which were pending for about eight to ten years. This amount will be released in a phase-wise manner in the next 2 years for the completion of these 9.74 Lakhs houses, which are in various stages of construction. 2.08 Lakhs of houses have been constructed by the corporation during the tenure of the present Government.
2. RELEASE OF GRANTS TO FLOOD AFFECTED HOUSES : Based on the GPS technology, 1.33 Lakh of houses damaged due to flood were identified and flood relief to an extent of Rs.2,100 Crores have been released directly to the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries.
3. HOUSING SCHEME FOR SPECIAL CATEGORY NOMADIC/ SEMI-NOMADIC/ KADU GOLLA COMMUNITY : Action has been taken for allotment of 69,000 houses on priority under Devaraj Urs Housing Scheme to the Special Category NOMADIC/ SEMI-NOMADIC/ KADU GOLLA COMMUNITY who are residing in different districts of the State.
4. DISTRIBUTION OF SITES : In order to provide shelters to the homeless, private land to an extent of 100.62 acres were purchased and 7,835 residential sites were developed and distributed so far under Urban & Rural Site Scheme in the State. An extent of 5,101 acres of Government land has been earmarked for housing scheme and action is being taken for development and allotment of 1.48 Lakhs of sites to the beneficiaries.
5. PRIME MINISTER AWAS YOJANE : Approval from the Central Government is obtained for construction of 5.8 Lakh houses under PMAY (URBAN). Interest on home loan under CLSS of PMAY (Urban) have been availed to an extent of 54,049 beneficiaries. Decision has been taken to construct 63,117 houses under AHP in the limits of Urban Local Bodies, out of which 11,423 houses are in different stages of construction.
6. PROPERTY RIGHT TO THE SLUM DWELLERS : Historic decision was taken to give Property Rights to 3.36 Lakh families benefitting 17.57 slum dwellers living in 1821. Declared Slum to an extent of about 8626.31 acres of land which are under the ownership of State Government and Urban Local Bodies (ULB) at a nominal rate by making their dream into reality.
7. SLUM DEVELOPMENT – HOUSING FOR ALL : 22,146 houses have been constructed and allotted to the beneficiaries under Prime Minister Awas Yojane (PMAY) “Housing for All” Scheme through Karnataka Slum Development Board out of 83,119 houses for which work order has already been issued after obtaining approval from Central and State Governments for construction of 1.80 lakh houses through Karnataka Slum Development Board in the State. Construction of remaining houses will be completed expeditiously. Administrative approval for construction of remaining 97,134 houses which were pending since last 3 years have been given during the tenure of present Government and work orders have been issued for construction activities.
8. INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE SLUM DWELLERS : 328 new slums have been declared under the Karnataka Slum Development Board Act and action is taken to provide necessary infrastructure facilities to these slum dwellers. The present Government has earmarked Rs.250 Crores to provide infrastructure facilities in declared slums under Slum Improvement Programmer.
9. ONE LAKH HOUSING SCHEME IN BANGALORE : In order to provide shelters to the economically weaker sections and unorganized sectors in Bangalore, the erstwhile Government had announced this Scheme in the year 2017. Administrative approval was given for construction of 46,499 houses with an estimated amount of Rs.4475.57 Crores in the year 2018–2019.LOA was issued in March 2019 and subsequent agreement was executed with the contractors during the month of May–June 2019 for the construction of 28,754 houses with an approximate cost of Rs.3,035 Crores.
10. DEEMED RELEASE OF SITES OF HOUSING BENEFICIARIES : As per the guidelines of the housing projects, beneficiaries who had taken subsidy were required to mortgage their sites to Government and only after 10 years, beneficiaries could get their mortgages released after due process. Considering the difficulties faced by the beneficiaries in getting their mortgages released, Government orders have been issued for deemed release of such mortgages after 10 years. This has benefitted the beneficiaries a lot.
11. REVISION IN SHARING PATTERN OF DEVELOPED LAND: In order to avoid delay in acquiring the land for timely execution of various Housing Projects of the Karnataka Housing Board, sharing pattern of developed land has been revised to 50:50 & 60:40 ratio vide Government Order dated 08.11.2019 instead of 60:40 & 65:35 ratio offered, to encourage land owners to participate in these housing projects and there by benefitting the Board also.
12. PRIME MINISTER TOWNSHIP IN SURYANAGAR : Government Orders have been issued for development of world class township with an estimated cost of Rs.3,455 Crores in an extent of 1938 Acres of land with formation of 30,000 Sites with ultra modern civic facilities in “PRIME MINISTER TOWNSHIP” near Vivekananda University of Yoga (Suryanagar 4th Stage), Jigani Hobli, Bangalore Urban to provide sites to the general public at a reasonable price.
13. KRS NISARGA TOWNSHIP, ILAVALA, MYSORE :The long pending issue of allotment of Compensatory Sites to the land owners, who have parted their lands in 2015 for the development of ‘KRS NISARGA TOWNSHIP’ in Ilavala Hobli of various villages of Mysore to an extent of 469 acres of land was resolved.
14. APPROVAL TO EXISTING PLANS OF 65 HOUSING PROJECTS : Post facto approval has been accorded by the Government as an one time measure to the existing plans of 65 layouts in which the Karnataka Housing Board has already completed 59 housing projects and developing 6 projects out of 236 housing projects implemented since the year 2000. In the interest of the public these existing plans have been deemed as approved plans.
15. OTHER SCHEMES OF HOUSING BOARD: Development of 39,591 Sites and 708 Houses in 26 various housing projects in the State with an estimated cost of Rs.1,123.82 Crore in 2,517 acres of land are in different stages of progress. Finalization of tender process is in progress for the development of 12,577 Sites in 981 acres of land consisting of 14 housing projects with an approximate cost of Rs.451.83 Crores. Preparation of DPR (Detailed Project Report) is in progress with respect to 7 housing projects for which the land has already been acquired. Approx. 25,020 Sites/Houses will be developed in 1,668 acres of land with an estimated cost of Rs.730.10 Crore. Land acquisition is in process to develop approx.17,790 Sites/Houses in 1,186 acres of land with an estimated cost of Rs.524.70 Crore in 13 various locations of the State.
16. RERA INITIATIVES : Taking into consideration the problems faced by the consumers while purchasing properties from the real estate entrepreneurs, incorporation of necessary amendment is effected to the RERA Rules and uniform format of AGREEMENT OF SALE is introduced. Online services have been introduced in RERA to provide better service in respect of issues like Registration of RERA Projects, Redressal of complaint, Registration of Agents, Publication of guidelines, etc.

Awards for excellence

“Jagadguru Renukacharya Award” is an honor conferred by Srimad Rambapuri Virasimhasana Samsthana Mutt, Balehonnur, And Various honors from Adichunchanagiri, Suttur, Pejawara, and Kaginele Mutts. The JNNURM National Award - honored by the Central Government for the welfare of the economically backward community through Karnataka Slum Development Board during my tenure as Minister of Housing, Karnataka Government.