Now Reading: Kumaraswamy alleges Rs 3 lakh crore NICE loss, Shivakumar denies
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Kumaraswamy alleges Rs 3 lakh crore NICE loss, Shivakumar denies
Union minister HD Kumaraswamy has alleged irregularities in the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (NICE) project, claiming a loss of around Rs 3 lakh crore to the state exchequer, and urged commuters to stop…
Union minister HD Kumaraswamy has alleged irregularities in the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (NICE) project, claiming a loss of around Rs 3 lakh crore to the state exchequer, and urged commuters to stop paying toll. He said the 2004 Outline Development Plan altered the 1997 Cabinet-approved Framework Agreement without fresh approval, increasing the toll road land from 6,999 acres to 9,469 acres, and added 15 lakes and new survey numbers.
Kumaraswamy targeted Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who was urban development minister then, and demanded his resignation, calling the project 'bigger than 2G and coal scams'. Shivakumar hit back, calling the charges 'a bundle of lies'. He admitted to assets worth Rs 1,400 crore but said they were acquired legally and declared to the Income Tax Department. He questioned Kumaraswamy's silence for years, pointing out that his father, HD Deve Gowda, had signed the initial MoU.
Kumaraswamy said he will release more documents in his campaign. Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda defended Shivakumar, noting Kumaraswamy, as chief minister in 2007, did not cancel the NICE agreement.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Times of India and Hindustan Times lead with Kumaraswamy's accusations, detailing the alleged procedural deviations. India Today and the Times of India's second piece foreground Shivakumar's rejection, including his asset declaration and challenge to debate in the Assembly. The critical framing omits Shivakumar's rebuttals, while the defensive framing minimises the 2004 changes. Neither side addresses the high court observation on the 50% alteration. The disagreement centres on whether the changes were authorised. Kumaraswamy's promise of more documents and Shivakumar's offer to face scrutiny by any agency are the next steps to watch.
The Assembly or an agency probe could test the claims.
Coverage: 4 sources, 2 pro-government, 2 government-critical
Sources (4): timesofindia.indiatimes.com (government critical), hindustantimes.com (government critical), indiatoday.in (pro government), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (2) (pro government)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 4 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
Updated: this story now draws on 4 sources.
