Yeddy Wants Completion of BMIC Project, to Convene Meeting Soon

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Mar 23: Unmindful of the strident campaign by former prime minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda against the controversial Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corrdior (BMIC) project being implemented by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Ltd (NICE), chief minister B S Yeddyurappa has made it clear that the BJP government was keen on ensuring that the project was completed without undue delay.

Talking to reporters at his residence, he made it clear that the government was bound to facilitate the early completion of the BMIC project which was initiated after 1994. ``It is the responsibility of the government to hand over lands as per the rulings of the Supreme Court and High Court and the Framework of Agreement,” he said.

He said necessary lands would be given to the developer for early completion of the project.

Asked about the criticism of Deve Gowda and JD(S) leader H D Revanna about the failure to hold a debate on the floor of the state legislature, he said the government was keen to hold the debate and come out with all facts including the land allotments and concessions given to NICE by successive governments. ``Ours is a transparent government. We have nothing to hide nor feel apologetic about as far as BMIC is concerned,” he claimed.

He, however, offered to convene a meeting in the first week of April of all floor leaders of both houses of state legislature to discuss the BMIC and all other connected issues and the steps to be taken, including convening of a special session of the state legislature soon after the BBMP polls on March 28. The BBMP electoral process is scheduled to be completed on April 6.

All former chief ministers H D Deve Gowda, S Bangarappa, M Veerappa Moily, S M Krishna, Dharam Singh and H D Kumaraswamy would be invited to the meeting, he said.

Referring to charges made against the government by the former prime minister, Yeddyurapa said there was no provision as long as he does not become its member. As an MP, he can only view the proceedings but cannot participate in the debate. If the rules had permitted, Deve Gowda would definitely be invited to the assembly to give his valuable advice on the project, he said.

"BMIC is the baby of JD(S),” he said there was no substance in the allegations made against the government by the opposition parties.

The chief minister said the opposition parties were free to discuss the BMIC issue during the budget session instead of demanding separate time if they were so keen on having a debate. The demand for another session was meaningless.

However, the government has an open mind on the issue. ``Let us see what the opposition floor leaders of both houses and former chief ministers suggest during the forthcoming meeting,”  he said.

Yeddyurappa pointed out that he took the voluntary initiative to invite Deve Gowda for discussing the issue at his residence in January last. ``Did he not express satisfaction after the meeting?,” he asked and declared that he was committed to keep his promise of not giving even an inch of land in excess of the framework agreement as directed by the Supreme Court.

The chief minister said the government would denotify excess lands and return to farmers. ``We want progress in the project without being unfair to farmers,” he said.

Taking sharp exception to Union External Affairs Minister and former chief minister S M Krishna for terming BJP rule as an ``eclipse’’ affecting Bangalore and Karnataka, Yeddyurappa said the achievements of  the 21-month rule were before the people. ``Everybody knows the developmental works undertaken by the government during the last 21 months in Bangalore and other parts of Karnataka,” he said.

He criticised Union Minister Gulam Nabi Azad for attacking BJP rule and pointed out that the Centre was yet to release the funds sought by the government.