The Karnataka Government yesterday (Monday, 17th February 2020), constituted a cabinet sub-committee on land acquisitions by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE). The sub-committee will look into the issue of as much as 370 acres of land which is under dispute with NICE.
The Issue over Land Ownership:
KIADB has purchased the land on behalf of the company and is presently worth Rs 600 crore in market value. However, it is claimed that NICE is seeking the same parcel of land which was prevalent at the rates when it was notified approximately Rs 60 crore.
The government is also examining the possibilities of approaching the judiciary over the land acquisitions woes that involved the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). The land expanse of 4.5 acres was supposed to have been handed over to BMRCL, after the managing director Ajay Seth had initiated a process of purchasing the land from NICE.
However, the government stopped the process and said there was already a dispute over NICE owning the property. “As a result, we have decided to form a cabinet sub-committee to discuss all these issues related to land acquisitions,” said one minister privy to the meeting.