Bangalore: The Opposition on Tuesday sought to move a privilege motion against the Government for filing a review petition on the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project in the Supreme Court on Monday without informing the legislature, which is in session.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly N. Dharam Singh, the former Minister M. Mallikarjun Kharge and the former Speaker Ramesh Kumar said the Government was clearly in breach of privilege of the House. The Government should have kept the legislature, which had discussed the matter and was awaiting the Chief Minister's reply, informed of the move.

Speaker Krishna, after hearing the submissions made by the Opposition, reserved his ruling on the matter.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy defended the Government's move and rejected the Opposition's stand that it was a breach of privilege. The Opposition could not question the actions of the Government in day-to-day administration, he said and appealed to the Speaker to reject the motion.

The Government had been consulting legal experts on the BMIC issue, and it would take a decision on the project within the limits of law and the Supreme Court judgment, he said.

Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs M.P. Prakash said a privilege motion could not be moved on the basis of newspaper reports. There should be documentary evidence to back the demand. Quoting instances where the presiding officer had turned down such pleas, he urged the Speaker not to allow the privilege motion to be moved. The present case could, at best, be termed a breach of courtesy on the part of the Government, he said.

Mr. Singh said it was evident that the Government was in a hurry to file the review petition. The Government was attempting to muzzle the Opposition, which had raised very sensitive issues regarding the project and had even sought an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Mr. Kharge and Mr. Kumar said the contents of the review petition were apparently the Government's reply to the Opposition in the legislature. What else could the Government state here other than what was contained in the petition? It was a clear case of breach of privilege, they said.

Unauthorised mining

Earlier, during Question Hour, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, replying to questions on iron ore mining in Bellary district raised by M. Mahadev, said the Government had set up a task force to monitor unauthorised mining in the district and take action against offenders.

So far, 78 cases had been booked and over Rs. 1.50 crore collected in fines. Five check-posts had been set up to monitor lorries carrying ore.

Several Opposition members suggested that the quantity of iron ore being exported from various ports should also be monitored.

To a question from Jabbar Khan Honnali, the Chief Minister said the Government had provided a grant of Rs. 14.65 crore for the twin cities of Hubli and Dharwad to improve civic amenities. Apart from this the Government had also provided a loan of Rs. 5 crore.

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