Bengaluru: Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has raised serious concerns over the state government’s failure to provide compensation to farmers who lost their land for the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (NICE) project. Despite several years and an order from the Supreme Court, the government has remained inactive, he said.
Speaking to the media at the party’s state office, JP Bhavan, Kumaraswamy stated, “Farmers’ land has been looted in the name of the NICE project. Officials, KIADB authorities, and Congress leaders have colluded to plunder farmers’ land.”
He alleged, “It’s been 22 years, yet the authorities remain indifferent and asleep, failing to compensate the farmers. The Supreme Court has criticized this negligence. This government has completely ignored the welfare of farmers and remains in a deep slumber. Farmers’ land was forcibly taken under the pretext of building roads. Even the committee led by T.B. Jayachandra had recommended that the entire project be brought under government control and a high-level investigation conducted. Yet, the government remains inactive.”
Kumaraswamy added, “The Supreme Court directed that compensation must be paid to farmers within two months. It ordered that market value for the acquired land, effective from April 22, 2019, must be determined. How many days have passed since the Supreme Court’s order? Minister M.B. Patil, what have you been doing all this time? Why haven’t you ensured compensation for the farmers? What is your role if not this?” he questioned sharply.
On Tax Devolution: Congress to Blame
Responding to Congress’ allegations that the central government has been unjust to Karnataka in sharing tax revenues, Kumaraswamy countered, “It is Congress’ mistakes during their 50 years of rule that are to blame for this. The financial commission system, introduced during Nehru’s tenure, recommended the method of sharing taxes with states. The same system continues today to determine tax distribution.”
He further criticized Congress leaders, stating, “If they were truly concerned about injustice in tax distribution, they should have amended the financial commission rules to increase the share for states. The Manmohan Singh government was in power for ten years—what were the Congress leaders from Karnataka doing during that time?”
