BMIC takes new turn as State deals another blow to NICE

BMIC takes new turn as State deals another blow to NICE
Friday August 3 2007 12:15 IST

BANGALORE: Dealing yet another blow to the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE), the State government on Thursday announced that it would not execute sale deeds to any infrastructure project including the vexed Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) Project.

Replying to a discussion on irregularities in the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) in the Assembly, Industries Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu informed the Legislative Assembly that the government will not allow transfer of lands to project promoters by farmers without getting a no-objection certificate from KIADB.

The government had recently suspended senior KIADB official Sridhar for executing a sale deed to NICE and has ordered a departmental inquiry against him.

Naidu said the government will also not allow developers to either re-sale or lease out lands for any other commercial ventures other than for what it was originally granted.

On allotting lands to NICE, Naidu said the government had filed an additional affidavit in the Apex Court. “Based on the outcome of the court verdict, the government would take appropriate action,” he added.

Answering queries on irregularities in indiscriminate notification and de-notification of lands, Naidu said the government will soon formulate a rule to make it compulsory to complete land acquisition process within three years from the day of preliminary notification.

Naidu said the principal secretary (Commerce and Industries) has been asked to prepare a note in this regard and place it before the Cabinet for its consideration.

The Minister said a departmental inquiry had been ordered to probe all irregularities in land acquisition and rejected the proposal of the Opposition party members to set up a House Committee.

Speaker Krishna intervened and said: “There is a need to put an end to this menace. As there are a lot of allegations with regard to notification and de-notification of lands. Govt should set up a House committee or order a judicial probe.”

Naidu said that he would consult Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and take a decision in this regard.

Earlier, JD(U) floor leader J C Madhuswamy alleged that hundreds of acres of lands around Bangalore are being de-notified and wanted the government to set up a House Committee to probe the scam involving officials and their family members.

He also expressed concern over delay in issuing final notification for acquiring lands even nine years after issuing preliminary notification.