Belagavi: Patil to reveal govt action on NICE

BELAGAVI: The state government on Wednesday sought a day’s time to reveal what it planned to do about  the report of the House committee, tabled a year ago, that  had recommended a CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities by the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE) in acquisition of land for the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor project.

Soon after the House assembled for the day , JD(S) floor leader , H D Kumaraswamy demanded to know what had stopped the government from taking over the project when the committee had pointed out so many glaring irregularities in its implementation by NICE. Recalling that the committee had found that NICE had acquired land from farmers for Rs 15 lakh per acre and sold it for Rs 2 to 3 crore the next day , he said more farmers were now under threat of losing their land.

“As Chief Minister, I wanted to take over the project, but did not have the majority to do so. Now, as the government has the support of the entire House, it will be much easier to takeover the project and save farmers,'' he added. Backing him, opposition leader, Jagadish Shettar pointed out that NICE promoter,  Ashok Kheny, who was a member of the House, had stopped attending it after the committee submitted its report. 

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister, H K Patil said although he was provided with a written answer to their queries by the officials concerned, he would  give a proper response to their concerns Thursday morning in the House.