EC annuls Karnataka Govt's decision on BMIC

Mangalore, May 8 (UNI) In a major setback to the Karnataka Government, the Election Commission (EC) has struck down the April 25 decision of the State Executive Committee and Empowered Committee on the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project, holding that it violated the model code of conduct.

Announcing the decision of the EC, Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswamy informed newspersons here today that the EC had reviewed the April 25 decision of the State Government to hand over 2,200 acres of land to NICE, the executors of the project, and directed not to implement it.

He said the EC had also instructed the State Government not to take any further decision on the issue till the completion of the election process in the State.

It may be recalled that the state executive committee, headed by Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur, had decided to hand over 2,200 acres of land acquired for the mega project to NICE.

Former Prime Minister and JD(S) President H D Deve Gowda had strongly criticised the decision of the State Government and opposed handing over of the 2,200 acres, allegedly worth over Rs 30,000 crore.

The executive committee had also decided to resolve issues over the required extent of land and alignment with NICE by way of a joint survey rather than litigation.

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