The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Chief Minister dares Congress for debate on land for SEZs

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Chief Minister dares Congress for debate on land for SEZs

Staff Reporter

Let the debate be held in a stadium, says H.K. Patil

Easing traffic: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy looking at the model after laying the foundation stone for an underpass at Kadirenahalli-Ring Road junction in Bangalore on Tuesday.

BANGALORE: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday came down heavily on the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council H.K. Patil for his statement that the Government had allotted 29,857 acres of land to “fake” information technology firms and private land developers in Bangalore Rural and Urban districts.

Speaking at a function organised by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to lay the foundation stone for four underpasses on congested traffic intersections of the Outer Ring Road, the Chief Minister said that he was ready for an open debate on the issue.

“We all know what the previous Congress Government has done to the poor. They are jealous because our Government is working for the welfare of the downtrodden,” he said.

“We are also aware about how a former Chief Minister’s son-in-law had been indicted by a house committee for being involved in land scams. Our Government will not give scope to such irregularities,” he said.

Mr. Patil had demanded a Lokayukta probe into the land allotment issue.

He also sought an explanation as to what was the reason for allotting such large tracts of land to real estate developers at the cost of source of livelihood of farmers.

The Chief Minister also expressed displeasure over media criticism about project delays by the civic agencies. “You people always highlight small mistakes and forget major achievements. This is not fair,” he said.

He advised the officials not to spend years on preparing detailed project reports. “Whenever any project is planned, ensure that work on it starts within one or two months. Only then can we complete the project on time,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said there was no dearth of funds for taking up development works.

“Before the term of our coalition Government ends, we will create an encouraging atmosphere for investors and ensure that the entire State is developed. Our focus is on the development of the entire State,” he said.

BBMP Commissioner K Jairaj said the four underpasses on the Ring Road — Kadirenahalli junction, Ring Road-Puttenahalli junction, Ring Road-Hennur Banaswadi junction and Prof. C.N.R. Rao Circle — were being taken up at a cost of Rs 104.38 crore.

“Though we have proposed to take them up under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, we are ready to take up work with our own funds if the proposal is not approved,” Mr. Jairaj added.

Earlier, the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister released a handbook “Lung Spaces of Bangalore” brought out by the BBMP.

Congress ready

Special Correspondent reports:

The Opposition Congress on Tuesday accepted the invitation by Mr. Kumaraswamy to participate in a public debate on the allegations related to acquiring of land for the Special Economic Zones.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council H. K. Patil told a press conference in Bangalore: “We are ready for such a debate. Let them hold it in a stadium.”

Mr. Patil not only reiterated the charges but also said the party was ready to furnish documents to substantiate its allegations.

He urged the Chief Minister to immediately stop the process of acquisition of farm land for the SEZ projects if he had any commitment to the welfare of farmers.

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