KTK seeks legal opinion on alleged violations of pact by NICE:

The Karnataka government todaysaid it has sought legal opinion on taking action on alleged violations of the framework agreement by the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises in implementing the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor project.
"The important thing that is before us is that there are 34 petitions against government in the High Court and 20 in Supreme Court," Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jayachandra told reporters here.
There are 54 cases on the matter and government has appointed a special counsel both in Bengaluru and Delhi, he said.
"We are taking opinions from the special counsel. I have sought their advice on what call government needs to take...probably very shortly we will come to a final decision," he said.

In its report tabled in the Assembly in December last year, the 11-member committee, headed by Jayachandra to look into the alleged violations, had concluded that of 22 articles in the framework agreement, 16 have been violated by the private partner which is NICE.
It had recommended an inquiry by CBI, ED, vigilance commission or an investigative agency of equal standing.

NandiInfrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) is the implementing agency of the BMIC project, whichincludes developing the 111-km four-lane expressway, fivetownships and supporting infrastructure.
The minister said there are court stays on matters regarding which the committee has made its recommendations.

He said he has sought opinions from the special counsel at both Delhi and the High Court here besides Advocate General.
"In a week or ten days time, I will hold a meeting and we will come to a final decision," he said.
He also said the company was taking shelter under various agreements signed later, diluting the framework agreement, which has been mentioned in the report also.
During the recently concluded assembly session at Belagavi, members of the legislative assembly cutting across party lines had demanded that government take action at the earliest.
Expressing dismay over delay in taking actionbased on the House committee report submitted a year ago, some of them including former chief minister and JDS leader H D Kumaraswamy had demanded that government take over the project.

About the demand to take over theproject, Jayachandra said "let's see what will be the suggestion from counsel."
On whether government has the power to take over the project citing breach of contract, he said "it is notruled out.