‘BJP not keen on taking over BMIC’

‘BJP not keen on taking over BMIC’

Deccan Herald

BANGALORE : Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said BJP is committed totabling a legislation to pre vent Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE) from taking excess land forthe Bangalore Mysore Infra structure Corridor (BMIC)project. However, he clarified that his party is not in terested in taking over the entire project from NICE.

A day after Chief Minister Kumaraswamy’s suggestion to call for a public debate on the issue,Mr Yediyu rappa said the BJP wouldlend the Chief Minister com plete support on retrieval ofexcess land. He said the government would not allow in justice to be meted out to farmers. “Our move will be in keeping with the SC ruleand any other legal frame work,” he assured.

“We will have a cabinetmeeting after Mr Ku maraswamy returns from his foreign tour to discuss our future plans,” Mr Yediyurappa added.

Congress backs govt

Meanwhile, the Congress has extended its support to the government, saying onThursday that it was “cor rect” in deciding to take back the excess land given to NICE.

However, the Oppositionparty expressed apprehen sions over the proposal to take over the entire project,as it would lead to several le gal complications. Leader of the Opposition N Dharam Singh pointed out that the K C Reddy committee, which had been constituted during his tenure as chief minister, had identified the “excess” land.

‘No stalling project’

However, he made it clear that the party was against any effort to stall the BMIC project, particularly for any “personal reasons of those in the ruling party”.

“A cancellation of the agreement with NICE might force the government to pay heavy compensation to the company, as according to the agreement,any such dispute requires to be settled through arbitration, that too in London,” Mr Singh said.

The government, before taking any decision in thisregard, should study the im pact of such action, he added.