I am not trying to scuttle BMIC project, says Deve Gowda

I am not trying to scuttle BMIC project, says Deve Gowda

The Hindu

`Such reports are aimed at sullying the reputation of the State Government'

# Says NICE should not be allowed to sell land given to it for the project
# Accuses NICE of insisting on getting expensive land near Bangalore

NEW DELHI: Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) president H.D. Deve Gowda has denied pressuring the Karnataka Government led by his son, H.D. Kumaraswamy, into scuttling the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project by not only denying more land but also taking away land already provided for the project.

Defining reports in this regard as "based on half truths," he said here on Wednesday that he was for the project but only wanted to ensure that it was provided only the extent of land as agreed to in the framework agreement, and that NICE (Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise) should not be allowed to sell the land given to it for the project.

Asserting that he had the highest regards for courts and their verdicts, he said: "The judgement is clear. It has effectively restricted the land requirement for the project to what was mentioned for various phases in the Somasekhar Reddy case and the scope of implementation of the project as conceived originally.

The courts have seriously doubted the genuineness of the agreements approved by the State Government subsequent to the framework agreement, on the basis of which NICE claimed the right to sell land near Bangalore. I only want the judgement to be implemented in letter and spirit."

"On the request of NICE, the Government agency issues a notification to acquire private land running into 21,000 acres, when the requirement as upheld in the Somasekhar Reddy case is only 13,237 acres... this calls for a probe and steps to fix responsibility," he said.

Reiterating that he was not raising questions about the project for personal reasons, he said allegations that he was opposed to the project were part of a disinformation campaign against the Karnataka Government.

He also complained that no one was bothered about NICE insisting on getting expensive land near Bangalore in excess of what was provided in the Somasekhar Reddy case.

Stressing that he will not give up his fight, he said: "I will never compromise on the rights of the poor, Dalits, the downtrodden and farmers, whom I represent. I am not opposed to BMIC on BOOT. But, I will not allow BOOT to be turned into open loot."