Bengaluru: Union Minister and JDS leader H.D. Kumaraswamy has launched a scathing attack on the Karnataka government over alleged irregularities in the NICE project, accusing it of protecting the interests of the company’s owners while ignoring farmers.
Addressing a press conference, Kumaraswamy asked, “Is the government polishing shoes for NICE company owners who have committed irregularities?”
Kumaraswamy claimed that a 2018 report had highlighted alleged irregularities in the NICE project and questioned what action the Congress government had taken on the findings.
He also questioned whether this was the response of a government that had come to power with a mandate of 136 seats.
The JDS leader alleged that thousands of farmers had been pushed into distress and claimed that around 20,000 acres of land had been acquired in connection with the project. He criticised the government for allegedly siding with those collecting tolls instead of protecting farmers’ interests.
Questioning whether the government had fixed any deadline for providing appropriate compensation to farmers whose land was acquired, Kumaraswamy said protecting farmers’ interests was the responsibility of the state government.
He further alleged that the government was failing to act against those responsible for the alleged irregularities.
“People will teach this government a lesson in the coming days for standing with the looters instead of standing with farmers,” Kumaraswamy warned.
