The Hindu : Karnataka News : BMIC: `Excess land will be returned'

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Saturday, Apr 02, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

BMIC: `Excess land will be returned'

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, APRIL 1. The Minister for Industries, P.G.R. Sindhia, on Friday assured the Legislative Assembly that the Government will provide justice to farmers by returning the excess land acquired for the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMIC).

In a reply to questions raised by the Floor Leader of the Janata Dal (U), J.C. Madhuswamy, on the execution of the project, Mr. Sindhia said the State Cabinet has accepted two reports submitted by the K.C. Reddy Committee. A few mistakes occurred in the acquisition of land and the Government will take legal action against those responsible for acquiring more land than what was required.

The Government has filed a fresh affidavit in the Karnataka High Court and stated its stand on the BMIC. The Government has said the excess land acquired for the project is in and around Bangalore. While the project requires 4,470 acres, 6,918 acres had been acquired.

On allegations that compensation has not been paid to farmers for acquiring their land for the international airport at Devanahalli, Mr. Sindhia said compensation has been paid as per the law.

Earlier, Mr. Madhuswamy said the Government had accepted the mistake in its affidavit filed in the High Court on Thursday.

The Government has done an "arithmetical mistake" by acquiring 2,500 acres for each township against the requirement of 1,102 acres.

He demanded that the Government return the excess land acquired for the project and punish the officials and those involved in land grab in the name of BMIC.

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