Aerospace project: HC frowns on KIADB

Justice D V Shylendra Kumar, while hearing a petition challenging land acquisition for Aerospace project at Devanahalli pulled up the state government for not furnishing details related to proceedings of the high-level committee which gave consent to the project.

“Time and again government is giving lame excuses. Judicial review is the constitutional mandate,” the judge observed.

 When the Advocate General submitted that land can be given to multinational companies to set up industries, the Court said the KIADB is for the development of local people not the MNCs. It asked the Board to submit a status report on non-utilisation of lands allotted for industrial purpose.

The KIADB submitted that it had acquired 670 acres and six guntas in Devanahalli and a compensation of Rs 368.91 cr has been awarded to land losers in Jonnahalli, Kavadadasanahalli, Baladimmanahalli, Bhatremarenahalli, Unasuru, Singahalli and Dummanahalli villages in Devanhalli and Yelahanka taluks.

The matter was adjourned to January 6 with a direction to the government to submit all original records related to the project.