Describing Karnataka as a state which seems to be in a “state of coma,” the Supreme Court today remarked the B.S. Yeddyuruppa Government has no business to be in power if it cannot acquire land fearing law and order problems.

The apex court made the scathing remarks while expressing surprise at the State Government's stance that it was proceeding slowly in acquiring private land for the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP) “to avoid law and order problems.”

“Why are you not acquiring the land? Where is the question of law and order problem?

" Then don't rule the State if you are afraid. You can't survive if you are afraid,” a three-judge Bench of justices, Mr V.S. Sirpurkar, Mr R.M. Lodha and Mr T.S. Thakur said.

The apex court also expressed surprise after the State admitted that it did not acquire the land even for laying the basic road facilities.

“Why have you not acquired the land for the roads? It is for a public cause. You seem to be in a state of coma,” the Bench told state counsel.

The Bench made the remarks after the State's Advocate General Harnahalli submitted that the Government was a little circumspect in acquiring additional land as farmers might create law and order problems and the administration has to be sensitive to such issues.

Published on May 3, 2011