Mandya (Karnataka), Aug 23 — Continuing his attack on the NICE Project, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday said that he was not instigating JD(S) workers against the NICE project and that people across Karnataka should rise against what he described as a major scam involving the project.

It may be noted that Kumaraswamy had alleged that the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project, partially carried out by NICE company, appeared to be one of Karnataka's biggest scams and said the state government should take over the entire project.

He has further alleged that the company was illegally collecting charges and revising toll rates beyond the prescribed framework. The Congress government and NICE officials have denied the allegations.

It may also be noted that the confusion over toll payments on the NICE Road has triggered daily confrontations between motorists and toll plaza staff, with drivers refusing to pay after Union Minister Kumaraswamy urged motorists not to pay the fee for using the road.

“I am not instigating JD(S) workers against the NICE toll. The people of the entire state must rise. Such a big scam has taken place. People have given us the strength to question this misgovernance and raise our voice if farmers’ land is being looted,” Kumaraswamy said.

Speaking to reporters after offering prayers at the Sri Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple in Melukote, the Union minister said the advertisement published in newspapers on Sunday was based on observations made by the Karnataka High Court regarding the NICE project and was not fabricated.

“Recently, a Division Bench of the High Court made strong observations about the NICE project. Those observations have now been published in the form of an advertisement,” he said.

Kumaraswamy described the NICE project as one of the biggest scams in Karnataka and alleged that the present government had colluded with the company operating the project.

“This is not limited to the present government. Previous governments and officials have also colluded with the company. Everyone has violated the Framework Agreement. They have rolled out a red carpet for the company owner and looted farmers’ land. Even after 20 years, farmers have not been paid,” he alleged.

Kumaraswamy alleged that valuable land acquired from farmers in the name of the NICE project had subsequently been used for real estate purposes.

“The company has entered into joint agreements with major companies. The court has examined all these aspects and stated that toll collection is illegal. Yet, this government has not taken any action,” he said.

Kumaraswamy criticised the Public Works Department Minister for claiming that the agreement with NICE still had another 20 years to run.

“What agreement are they talking about? Is the government joining hands with the company to allow it to continue looting for another 20 years? Farmers are standing before courts every day,” he said.

The Union minister said that the government was meant to protect the interests of the people and not an individual or a private company.

“The government is meant to protect the six-and-a-half crore people of Karnataka. The government has completely surrendered to this company. This is a scam committed by the government. It has been described as Karnataka’s No. 1 scam,” Kumaraswamy alleged.

He also accused the Chief Minister and ministers of having business dealings with the company.

Reacting to statements reportedly made by NICE promoter Ashok Kheny against him, Kumaraswamy said he was not addressing Kheny personally.

“I have nothing to say to Kheny. What do I have to do with him? I am not speaking about him. I am speaking to this government. The court order is against the government, not Kheny,” he said.

Kumaraswamy denied that he was provoking people over toll collection on the NICE Road.

“I am not provoking people in connection with the NICE Road toll. But by now, people should have risen against it. That needs to happen,” he said.

He alleged that the company had not invested even “five rupees” in the NICE project and claimed that the state government had leased land for the project at a nominal rate.

He further alleged that state assets had been mortgaged with ICICI Bank to raise loans and accused the government of turning a blind eye to the alleged irregularities.

Kumaraswamy recalled raising the NICE issue in the Legislative Assembly in 2006-07 and said he had suggested scrapping the project if the House agreed.

“At that time, I did not get support. I had the support of only 38 MLAs. How could I have cancelled with the support of 38 MLAs?” he said.

He claimed that when the matter was brought before the Cabinet, some leaders who were sharing power with him boycotted the Cabinet meeting.

“If I had 134 MLAs with me, all these people would have been in jail,” Kumaraswamy said.

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