Siddaramaiah seeks all-party meet on NICE issue

Mysore, June 10 (UNI) Former Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and All India Progressive Janata Dal leader Siddaramiah today urged the State Government to convene an all-party meeting, before bringing in any legislation to reclaim excess land acquired by the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) for executing the Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project.

Addressing mediapersons here, he said the State Government should take serious steps on this issue as the Supreme Court had passed order in favour of NICE and had slapped Rs five lakh damages on the Government. However, if NICE had acquired excess land, it should be taken back by the Government. The matter should be handled with care.

Warning the State Government that any decision taken by it would affect its image, Mr Siddaramaiah said even those investing in the State were expressing doubts on provision of basic infrastructure.

He claimed that there were differences between the JD(S) and BJP, the coalition partners, on the issue. A firm decision was necessary in this aspect as otherwise the people of the State would feel that the Government was ''anti-development,'' he added.

Referring to the land mafia, Mr Siddaramiah said the State Government should come out with a clear policy on acquiring lands of farmers and render justice to them by compensating properly. While an acre of land around Mysore was worth about Rs 15 to 20 lakh, the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board had been purchasing for Rs four to five lakh and selling to industries for over Rs 15 lakh.

The Government should retain only the development charges and hand over the rest to the farmers. If the Government did not take action, his party would launch a Statewide agitation, he warned.

Parrying reports that top Congress leaders were consulting the party high command about his joining that party, he said there was no such move from his side and he was a suspended JD(S) member.

On the notice issued by Speaker Krishna asking why his group should not be disqualified, he said he had sought more time to reply.

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