Govt ready to go public

Govt ready to go public
Deccan Herald

Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Basavaraj Horatti on Saturday said that “if the need arises” the State government would disclose “all information it has” about the controversial Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project in the forthcoming legislature session......

Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Basavaraj Horatti on Saturday said that “if the need arises” the State government would disclose “all information it has” about the controversial Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project in the forthcoming legislature session.

“If any member so wishes, we are ready to provide all the facts and figures about the project. There is no question of keeping anyone in the dark,” Mr Horatti said. Speaking to reporters, he said the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) had acquired 29,000 acres of land till date towards implementing the BMIC project. As per an MoU signed in 2002, NICE can buy land at the rate of Rs 10 per square feet for a period of 12 years – till 2014 – towards the BMIC project, Mr Horatti said. The JD(S) legislature party is meeting on Sunday, a day ahead of the commencement of the legislature session on June 19.

Mr Horatti said JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda “may take part in the meeting.” He said the coalition partner, BJP, would be taken into confidence in this regard. Three members each from the two parties would discuss the issue and arrive at a consensus.

The BJP, too, is holding its legislature party meeting on Sunday. After the respective meetings, the two parties will discuss and arrive at a final decision, he added.

Transport Minister Cheluvarayaswamy said the government would soon place all information on the BMIC project before the public to clarify its stand. The government was not opposed to the project, but the extent of land sought by NICE was a cause for concern. “If we (the government) don’t save public property, who else would?” he asked.

Mr Cheluvarayaswamy took exception to the statement made by BJP state president D V Sadananda Gowda, who had asked Deve Gowda “not to interfere with the affairs of the State government.”

Mr Cheluvarayaswamy said Sadananda Gowda’s statement was not befitting the post the latter held. “JD(S) state president M P Prakash never made frivolous statements against leaders of its coalition partner,” he pointed out.

Denying that there were differences in the coalition government on the BMIC project, Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said it was wrong to perceive that the BJP was in favour of the project.

“The perception that the BJP is in favour of the project is wrong; we only have the interests of the people in mind. Karnataka and Bangalore are seen as investor-friendly destinations globally. One wrong decision can send negative signals to potential investors. This is why BJP is adopting a cautious approach towards the entire episode,” he added, without making a direct reference to Gowda.

Mr Gowda had alleged that the BJP leaders were opposing nationalisation of the project for “other considerations”.

Addressing a press conference at his residence in Shimoga, Mr Yediyurappa said: “The controversy surrounding the BMIC will be discussed at length and a white paper on the entire issue will be issued if necessary.”

LETTER TO NICE

State Govt’s stand on land

Bangalore: The State Government on Saturday sought to "limit the scope" of the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project by declaring that it will release land required for road construction and not immediately for five townships. The state is taking steps to make available 2193 acres of land for construction of peripheral road and seven interchanges and 278 acres for link road and an interchange, Additional Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary to PWD P B Mahishi said in a letter to NICE.