The entire Opposition in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday stood unanimous in urging the government to initiate action against Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE), promoters of Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project, for alleged violation of norms.
The former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy demanded that the government take over the controversial project, while initiating a debate on the issue in the Assembly. He said the government should bring a Bill in the ongoing session itself to facilitate the takeover to provide justice to farmers whose land was allegedly acquired at throw-away prices.
He alleged that NICE had sold some of the land acquired for the project at ₹15 crore to ₹20 crore an acre though the land-losing farmers had been given a compensation of just ₹2 lakh to ₹3 lakh an acre. He expressed concern that no action had been taken against the project promoters though a year had passed since a legislature committee recommended serious action, including referring the matter to the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate for a thorough probe.
Pointing out that the Frame Work Agreement with NICE had clearly barred the company from collecting toll till it built concrete road, he wondered how the government allowed toll collection without concrete road being built. Mr. Kumaraswamy alleged that some government officials, who helped NICE for violation of rules, had joined the company at higher posts after their retirement from government service.
JD(S) member K.M. Shivalinge Gowda, who is also a member of the legislature committee, expressed concern over NICE authorities getting a stay over implementation of the committee’s recommendation to suspend toll collection. He took exception to the government not taking action to get the stay vacated. He expressed concern that the public would suspect the House committee’s integrity if no action was taken on its recommendations.
Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar also urged the government to act sternly against NICE based on the committee report. BJP member Satish Reddy, who was also a member of the committee, urged the government to initiate action against erring officials as recommended by the committee.
H.K. Patil declines to read ready reply
Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H.K. Patil on Wednesday desisted from reading out the written copy furnished by the government to reply to a discussion in the Assembly on demand for action against NICE. “I have been given a written reply to read out. But I am not satisfied with its content after listening to your debate,” Mr. Patil told the members, promising to come out with the reply on Thursday.