The controversial Bangalore–Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project — being implemented by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) — is in for fresh trouble with the State government on Thursday announcing the constitution of a House committee to probe the alleged violations of the Frame Work Agreement.
Following an uproar in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday on the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the project by NICE, members, cutting across party lines, demanded the formation of a House committee to probe the issue.
Responding to this, Minister for Public Works H.C. Mahadevappa on Thursday announced the government’s decision to probe the allegations “to put an end to apprehensions in the minds of the people.” During his reply to the budgetary demands of the Public Works Department, the Minister said that a contract was signed with NICE when H.D. Deve Gowda was Chief Minister in 1995 to improve infrastructure.
Subsequently, the Frame Work Agreement was inked in 1997 when J.H. Patel was Chief Minister. The constitution of the House committee was an attempt to put an end to the controversies plaguing the project, he said. The project has been embroiled in controversies right from the beginning, mainly over seeking of land in excess of what is required.
The Janata Dal (S), headed by Mr. Gowda, had objected to the acquisition of excess land.
