Oppn demands action against NICE for BMIC project 'violations'

Legislative assembly members, cutting across party lines, today demanded that the government take action on 'violations' of the framework agreement by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises in implementing the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor project.
Expressing dismay over the delay in taking action, based on the House committee report submitted a year ago, they questioned the government's intention and demanded takeover of the project.
Initiating the discussion, JDS leader H D Kumaraswamy pointed out that it has been a year since the committee submitted its report.
"During the last winter session at Belagavi, the committee submitted its report. It is a clear report, youhave a clear majority. Why are you not taking any action? Why don't you take over the project?" he questioned.

Also questioning the government's stand, theformer Chief Minister said (Assembly) elections are coming and if no action was taken now, the report would go into "cold storage".
Requesting the government to show sympathy for farmers who lost their land for the project, he said the company was earning crores of Rupees and was 'illegally' collecting toll.

"Take over the project... even after so many years the project has not taken off properly far beyond Bengaluru, as the company and those running it were only interested in the land around Bengaluru city," Kumaraswamy added.
The 11 member committee, headed by Law andParliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra to look intoalleged violations in its voluminous report tabled in theAssembly in December last year, concluded that 16 of 22 articles in the framework agreement were violated by the private partner, which is NICE.

It recommended an enquiry by the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate, the vigilance commission or an investigative agency of equal standing.
JDS MLA Shivalinge Gowda, who also served as memberof the House committee, demanded that the case be handed overto the CBI or ED for investigation.
BJP MLAs Satish Reddy and Vishwanath and Congress MLA S TSomashekar demanded that the government initiate action based on the committee report.
They also pointed to alleged illegal stone crushing, transfer of land to private developers and other activities that the company indulged in violation of the framework agreement.
Opposition BJP Leader Jagadish Shettar sought to know why government was not taking action when allmembers were united on the issue.

"If no action is taken, what is the useof the committee and its report?" He also demanded that the government take over the project.
Responding on behalf of the government, Rural Development Minister H K Patil said the reply would be given tomorrow.