Karnataka: Deve Gowda opposes sites for NICE-affected farmers, questions land allocation

Bengaluru: JD(S) national president HD Deve Gowda has opposed the Karnataka Cabinet’s decision to allot 1,453 sites to farmers who lost land for the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (NICE) project, alleging that the move could facilitate the acquisition of valuable surplus land.

Gowda, who wrote to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on the issue, released the letter at a press conference in Bengaluru on Monday. He questioned the rationale for allotting sites to the affected farmers and alleged that the move could be aimed at gaining control of the large tracts of land that would remain after the allotment.

“Who is trying to loot land that is more valuable than gold? Who is behind this illegal activity?” Gowda said, referring to land prices in the area of Rs 10,000-15,000 per sq ft.


Gowda described the NICE project as one of the country’s biggest frauds and alleged that the Cabinet decision was contrary to observations of the Karnataka High Court and judgments of the Supreme Court.

The state government has sought to project the decision as being in line with Supreme Court judgments, but Gowda rejected the argument. He said courts had repeatedly cautioned against developing sites in areas earmarked for the project, arguing that such activity would violate the Framework Agreement governing NICE.

Shivakumar defends Cabinet decision

Shivakumar rejected Gowda’s allegations, saying the government would ensure that all decisions relating to NICE remained within the legal framework.

“Whatever we do, we will do it within the legal framework. We will seek legal opinion. We are reviewing everything. We will not do anything outside the law,” the CM said.

He said the government had a responsibility to protect farmers who lost their property for the project under agreements entered by previous governments.

“Farmers have lost their property; they must be protected,” Shivakumar said, adding that the government would act after examining the legal position.