BJP legislator questions govt over Delhi-Mumbai corridor

JAIPUR: Senior BJP legislator Rao Rajendra Singh on Thursday question his own government's decision to accept the recommendations of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (DMICDC), which the state government claimed was only a knowledge partner of the state for the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC).
"The DMICDC was incorporated on the basis of a cabinet note of the Union government and the then state government signed a MoU with DMICDC in 2009.Prior to that, one of the early bird projects was of airtropolis. The concerned investor got a letter of intent from the Union government for a specific geographical location. However, by then the state government had signed an MoU with DMICDC and the corporation turned a blind eye to the previous development and issued new tenders. I want to know whether the DMICDC is working as a catalyst or as a handicap?'' asked Rao Rajendra Singh, during the question hour.
The questions were raised in reference to the proposed airport at Sikar-Jaipur border to Kotkasim in Alwar district. "What are the reasons for relocating the aviation hub that the then state government (BJP) had decided to develop at Sikar-Jaipur border. Why this step-motherly treatment to the voters of Sikar and Jaipur?'' he asked. Singh pointed out that the corporation was an incorporated company of the Union government and it cannot compel the state government to accept its recommendations. "The fact that the decision was changed in 2009 despite an investor being ready hints at irregularity. It was the previous government which decided on the shift but why is the decision not being looked into all over again,'' he asked industries minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar.
In his reply, Khimsar said that the DMICDC was only a knowledge partner and that a Rajasthan Special Investment Region Bill 2015 covering the DMIC issue was in process. "After passing of this proposed bill, DMIC would secure more powers and its activities would be enhanced for promotion and investment in business,'' he said.
The minister claimed that the proposed airport was shifted to Kotkasim because of its proximity to the Indira Gandhi International Airport. "The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has given permission for the proposed airport while permission of the civil aviation and defence ministry is awaited,'' he informed the house.
Other legislators too raised the issue of irregularity in land acquisition for DMIC, but the minister denied it. "The Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) passing through 600 km in the state would benefit the entire state in terms of investment and promotion of business,'' he claimed.