CM for public debate on BMIC

The controversial Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP) is headed towards more trouble with chief minister H D Kumaraswamy calling for a public debate on the project.

"The BMICP promoters have launched a slanderous campaign against me by selectively leaking misleading information to the media. I do not own any land in the BMIC Project. I am ready to surrender my land, if any, inside the project area," he told reporters here on Monday.

He accused the BMICP promoters, Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) of attempting to save the project by making him some "offer". But he declined to reveal the details.

Kumaraswamy said the government might take a hard decision on the project since there had been a "violation" of the framework agreement by NICE.

"We do not have any problem if the NICE sticks to the original framework agreement and completes the road project," he added.

The government and the NICE are locked in a war of words after the former said it would bring in a legislation to claim excess land (2,450 acres) from NICE.

The CM said the government would file a revision petition in the Supreme Court seeking to take back the excess land.

"We will not allow NICE to market farmers' land at commercial rates. There has to be a public debate on this. I will lay bare all the facts and expose the firm's activities in the last 11 years," he stated.