Nature of action against NICE to be finalised within 10 days

Bangalore - 06/12/2011 : View of BMIC Link road (Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project), passing between Rajarajeshwari nagar and Banshankari, near Shakthi resort Hill, developed by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises LTD. (NICE), in Bangalore on December 06, 2011. The 9-km BMIC Link Road intersects the ORR near Hosakerehalli in Banashankari 3rd Stage, between PES College and Mysore Road. Photo: K. Murali Kumar

Possibility of govt. taking over BMIC project is also being examined: Law Minister

The Law Department is set to take a call in about 10 days on the action to be initiated against Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE), including the possibility of taking over its controversial Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project.

Disclosing this to reporters here on Thursday, Law Minister T.B. Jayachandra said he would soon hold a final round of talks with the Advocate-General and special legal counsel who are looking into the cases related to NICE in the Karnataka High Court and the Supreme Court on the next course of action with respect to alleged irregularities by NICE.

Pointing out that as many as 20 cases were pending before the apex court and another 34 before the Karnataka High Court with respect to NICE, the Minister said the State had appointed two special counsels to handle them. He had asked them to present their views on the nature of action that could be initiated and a final picture would emerge in seven to ten days when he would hold a meeting with them.

Asked about the possibility of the government taking over the BMIC project itself as demanded by Opposition members in the Legislative Assembly, the Minister said: “Such a possibility cannot be ruled out.”

Listing some of the alleged irregularities pointed out by a Legislature committee that looked into the issue, Mr. Jayachandra maintained that over 30,000 acres of land had been notified to be acquired for the project though the actual extent of requirement of land was only about 20,000 acres as per the Frame Work Agreement.

He declared that the government was not scared of taking any stringent measure against the NICE.

It may be noted that the entire Opposition in the Assembly during the recent session held in Belagavi had urged the government to initiate action against NICE with respect to alleged irregularities in executing the BMIC project.

While Janata Dal (S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy had demanded that the entire BMIC project be taken over by the government by bringing about a Bill in this regard, the other members had sought a probe by CBI/Enforcement Directorate as per the recommendations of the House committee.