Bengaluru: Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday alleged large-scale irregularities in the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP) and accused the Karnataka government of “failing” to protect farmers whose land was acquired for the project.
Kumaraswamy, who holds steel and heavy industries portfolio, also alleged deviations in the BMICP approved by Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, when he was the state Urban Development Minister on February 12, 2004.
During that period the Nandi Infrastructure Corporation Enterprises Limited (NICE) managing director Ashok Kheny was the sitting member of the Bengaluru Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor Area Planning Authority (BMICAPA).
The deviation, according to him, was done without cabinet approval.
In this connection, he demanded that Shivakumar resign from his position and pave way for those who can correct the “large scale irregularities”.
Addressing a press conference here, Kumaraswamy alleged that land and other resources had been diverted in violation of agreements and claimed that the matter involved irregularities worth more than Rs three lakh crore.
He also demanded that the government act on recent court observations and return land to affected farmers wherever legally possible.
“Here, before our very eyes, in the name of some of the state’s most serious projects, I want to bring to your attention how the lives of farmers are being played with. Not just that, I also want to show you how the state government has been reduced to a state of servility,” he said.
Kumaraswamy alleged that the original framework agreement for the project had been altered and questioned the construction of commercial properties and proposed government-funded infrastructure on land earmarked for other purposes.
He claimed that farmers who were promised a lucrative return under 60:40 arrangement were yet to receive sites. The arrangement was that the farmers would get 60 per cent of the developed land in lieu of giving their agriculture land for the project.
The JDS leader also alleged that changes to the ODP plan and permissions had resulted in properties worth Rs 1,400 crore being acquired.
“The High Court has recently said that this is a big scam,” Kumaraswamy said, adding that he had opposed the construction of a toll facility, which he alleged violated the framework agreement.
He appealed to people not to pay the toll and urged the government to stop its collection, while referring to a Legislative Committee report of 2016.
Kumaraswamy said he supported a road connection between Bengaluru and Mysuru, but questioned the need for another parallel road when the BMIC project was yet to be completed.
He claimed that 1.25 lakh acres had been identified for the project and said that although the project was conceived nearly 30 years ago and was supposed to cover 140 km, less than five km had been completed.
Kumaraswamy also alleged that farmers had lost their land decades ago and said their land should be restored wherever legally possible.
“The land must be properly taken back and returned to the farmers,” he said.
The union minister claimed that the High Court had called for an investigation into aspects of the matter and said the state government should comply with the court’s directions.
He said that if the government failed to act, he would pursue the matter through legal means and mobilise public opinion.
He also sought an investigation into the project’s financial transactions and questioned whether the government had conducted an audit during the past 30 years.
“It has been 30 years since the project was conceived. Have you conducted any audit?” he asked.
Asked about allegations concerning members of his family and their possible links to the project, Kumaraswamy said any illegal transaction should be investigated, including those involving his family.
“If anything illegal has been done by anyone in our family, you have all the power. You have the government and the authority. Investigate it,” he said.
He added that his objection was to alleged misuse of official power and violations of law, rather than wealth acquired through legitimate means.
Kumaraswamy also said he would continue the campaign with the support of his alliance partner BJP.
The Union minister also hinted at releasing further material concerning the issue, including audio and video recordings, but declined to provide details immediately.
Kumaraswamy said the issue would have several further instalments and that his campaign would continue until the matter was addressed.
“We will not let this matter go so easily,” he said.
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