Karnataka government minister Krishna Byre Gowda.
Bengaluru: Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Monday said that after allocating land for different purposes over the years, the government is now struggling to find land for new cemeteries, playgrounds, hospitals and other public services. “Look at the situation, the government has to buy land for cemeteries. Last year, the government spent Rs 50 crore to buy land for cemeteries. After repeatedly allocating land for different purposes over the years, we are now having to buy land for cemeteries,” he lamented.
Case registered against 2 ED officials
Replying to a question by BJP MLA from Harihar Harish BP during the Question Hour in the Assembly, Gowda said there was no space left for providing playgrounds for children, powerhouse, hospital and Anganwadi centre. Meanwhile, the Rs 187 crore alleged scam in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation took a major turn on Monday when a case was filed against two ED officials for allegedly pressuring a state government official to ‘trap’ Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Finance Department.
‘I was asked 17 questions on July 16’
Based on the complaint of Additional Director of Social Welfare Department Kallesh B, a case has been registered against two ED officials at Wilson Garden police station. Kallesh has accused an ED official named Murali Kannan and an official with surname Mittal. Apart from the Special Investigation Team formed by the Karnataka government, the CBI is also investigating the alleged embezzlement of Rs 187 crore, which includes illegal transfer of Rs 88 crore to Hyderabad-based companies. Kallesh said that during the interrogation on July 16, Kannan asked him 17 questions and he answered them immediately.
‘Asked to take the name of the Chief Minister’
Kallesh alleged that Kannan asked him to name former minister B. Nagendra, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Finance Department in the case. Further, Kallesh said that Mittal allegedly threatened to implicate him in the case and said that if he wanted the ED to help him, he should name the Chief Minister, Nagendra and the Finance Department. The complainant claimed that though he was not involved in the crime, he was called and threatened and asked to give in writing that the Chief Minister, former ministers and officials of the Finance Department were involved in it.
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