BMIC: Ex-Minister urges K'taka Govt to reclaim excess land

Bangalore, July 3 (UNI) Former Karnataka Industries Minister and senior Congress leader R V Deshpande today urged the Government to immediately take back the excess land acquired by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise for implementing the controversial Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project.

Participating in a discussion on the issue in the Assembly, he said the interests of the State and the farmers were of paramount importance and as the then Industries Minister, he had ordered denotification of the excess land, he recalled, quoting the Supreme Court and Karnataka High Court verdicts on the issue.

Referring to the ''anti-Government'' remarks made by NICE Managing Director Ashok Kheny, he said he could not blackmail the Government. There was no question of defending him and the Government should take back the excess land, he urged.

Janata Dal (Secular) member A T Ramaswamy, who also participated in the discussion, held those in power responsible for clearing such projects, which were detrimental to the interests of the State at large. Officials, who had connived with NICE for allotting large tracts of excess lands, should be punished, he demanded.

The discussion remained inconclusive when the House was adjourned for the day.

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