Uproar over ‘incomplete work, delayed pay' for PMAY houses
Leader of Opposition Charan Das Mahant questioned the state's handling of PM housing benefits, especially in cases where houses were allegedly marked complete despite missing toilets.
He asked if the completion is considered 'completed' after payments are done for construction of house, MNREGA work and building of toilets or is it considered 'completed' without these provisions.
Deputy CM Vijay Sharma defended by attributing past delays to the previous govt and claimed that under CM Vishnu Deo Sai, all pending payments had been cleared right from year 2011.
In further exchanges, Mahant raised concerns about fund delays in MNREGA, citing specific districts like Jashpur and Bijapur.
Sharma responded that all labour payments were made by June 30, but agreed to verify any discrepancies if provided with documentation, mainly in interior regions of Bijapur, where bank accounts might not be functional.
Mahant reacted stating that he has got complaints about completed houses under PMAY, the payments for which were stalled by claiming they were incomplete and they were trying to "fool" the govt.
Sharma replied that Mahant's comment was very hurtful to him and he's ready with all the documents that show how Congress delayed the PMAY construction despite approval from the Centre. This was followed by noisy scenes as opposition members audibly objected to Sharma's reply.
Later, LoP Mahant called for a CBI probe into the handling of PMAY in the state.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
Congress, other parties criticizing new Waqf law want to keep Muslims as vote bank: Kiren Rijiju
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accuses Congress and other parties of exploiting Muslims as a vote bank by opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Act. He defends the Act, emphasizing its aim to empower the Muslim community and ensure proper management of Waqf properties for their welfare. Rijiju asserts the government's commitment to justice for all, dismissing claims of unconstitutionality. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has alleged that the basic purpose of the Congress and some other parties criticizing the Waqf (Amendment) Act is to keep Muslims as their vote bank, and asserted that the Modi government believes in "appeasement to none, justice to all".With the Supreme Court in May reserving interim orders on three key issues after hearing both sides in the Waqf case, Rijiju said he will not make any preemptive statement right now with regard to the matter which is pending in the apex court."But let us make one thing very clear. The job of Parliament is to make laws. The Supreme Court can definitely interpret it in the right way," Rijiju told PTI Videos in an interview."We are very confident that whatever we have done is as per law and as per the provisions and spirit of the Constitution. I am very confident that the role of Parliament will not be taken away," he AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi 's criticism of the new Waqf law, Rijiju said he doesn't want to criticize Owaisi for his opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Act because he made the remarks against the legislation out of compulsion."The main problem is what I tell you. Some of these leaders, including the Congress party, have treated the Muslims as a vote bank. When you start taking and making a community as a vote bank, then you become irrational."Then you put them into one bracket, that good or bad doesn't matter, they will all be rhetorical," the minister those who criticized the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, are only trying to keep the Muslims poor and ensure that they remain as their vote bank."Our thinking is opposite to that. Ours is appeasement to none, justice to all," Rijiju are many within the Muslim community, lots of groups, women, children and backward communities who have not gotten any benefit out of the Waqf properties, the minister told PTI on Friday."So, India's Waqf properties you know very well are the highest number of Waqf properties in the world. More than 9,70,000 Waqf properties are there which must be put into use for the purpose for which those properties were created," Rijiju pointed out that under the provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, "we are to handle through the mutawallis and the waqf boards proper management for the welfare of the Muslim community, especially the poor.""These (Congress and some other leaders) people know that if the Muslim community becomes better, prosperous then they will be more educated, have more understanding and they will not be the main vote bank for anybody," Rijiju said."So, the basic purpose of Congress and some of the other leaders criticizing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is to make Muslims as their vote bank and to keep them poor all the time," he said."Otherwise, tell me one reason why they should oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Bill? On a rational basis, they cannot," he the Collector being given more powers under the new law, Rijiju said, "We are making the rules, now it's in the final stage. There is no final authority to any officer. It is only responsibility being given to certain officers. If there are disputes between the government lands and the private, the collector has to decide, but the appeal has to be made to an officer which is higher than the collector. Otherwise, what is the job of the collectors? Collectors are there for revenue purposes primarily.""So, if you don't trust collectors, then who do you trust?" he its observation on the presumption of constitutionality in favour of the law, the Supreme Court in May reserved interim orders on three key issues after hearing both sides in the waqf Centre has strongly defended the Act, saying waqf by its very nature was a secular concept and can't be stayed given the presumption of constitutionality in its though waqf was an Islamic concept, it was not an essential part of Waqf (Amendment) Act was passed by Parliament in April and subsequently came into force through a government the BJP-led NDA had rallied in support of the Bill, the opposition INDIA bloc united in opposing Muslim bodies and opposition MPs had moved the Supreme Court against the law, which the ruling alliance has described as a force for transparency and empowerment of backward Muslims and women from the community. The Opposition has slammed it as unconstitutional and claimed that it infringes on the rights of Muslims.
News18
30 minutes ago
- News18
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Dy CM Shivakumar Offer Ritual To Kabini In Show Of Unity
Last Updated: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar offered 'baagina' to the Kabini River, showing unity amid discord rumors. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar on Sunday offered ' baagina ' (a traditional ritual offering) to the Kabini River, a tributary of the Cauvery, in a symbolic show of unity amid rumours of discord between the two Congress leaders. As per the video shared by Kannada daily, Prajavani, the two leaders were seen offering the ritual as a gesture of thanksgiving during the auspicious 'Kanya lagna' at 11.17 am on Sunday morning. ಎಚ್.ಡಿ.ಕೋಟೆ (ಮೈಸೂರು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ): ತಾಲ್ಲೂಕಿನ ಬೀಚನಹಳ್ಳಿಯ ಕಬಿನಿ ಜಲಾಶಯಕ್ಕೆ ಭಾನುವಾರ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ ಸಿದ್ದರಾಮಯ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಉಪ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ ಡಿ.ಕೆ.ಶಿವಕುಮಾರ್ ಬಾಗಿನ ಅರ್ಪಿಸಿದರು #siddaramaiah #kabini — Prajavani (@prajavani) July 20, 2025 'By offering baagina, we have offered pooja to Kapila river. It filled up early this year. The river evolves in Wayanad in Kerala and it joins Cauvery river near T Narsipura taluk. Every year Kabini reservoir fills and we offer Bagina to it each time," the Chief Minister said as quoted by Deccan Herald. The two leaders appeared together a day after a political controversy erupted over an alleged snub to Shivakumar by Siddaramaiah during the ' sadhana samavesha', a Congress event held in Mysuru on Saturday, attended by party president Mallikarjun Kharge. While addressing the gathering, Siddaramaiah omitted Shivakumar's name—an omission that prompted criticism and sparked speculation. When a Congress leader reminded Siddaramaiah to mention his deputy, the Chief Minister responded that 'protocol required acknowledging only those present on the dais." Notably, Shivakumar was present at the event with other senior leaders. However, after delivering his address, he cited an emergency and left for Bengaluru. Meanwhile, the BJP seized the moment, "terming it an insult" to Shivakumar and hinting at a 'rift within the Congress leadership." The incident came amid ongoing tensions within the Karnataka government over the CM post, as the Opposition BJP continues to claim that Shivakumar could replace Siddaramaiah. The Congress leadership has ruled out any plans to replace Siddaramaiah, who has also dismissed rumours about a possible exit. Meanwhile, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar publicly expressed his support for the Chief Minister. Despite such gestures and public statements, signs of friction between the two have occasionally surfaced during public events. The root of the tension dates back to the Congress's decisive victory in the 2023 assembly elections. Shivakumar, credited for his role in securing the win, was seen as a strong contender for the Chief Minister's post. After internal deliberations, the party leadership persuaded him to take on the roles of Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president. view comments First Published: July 20, 2025, 16:17 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Chennithala flags ‘irregularities' in Anert tender
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Sunday renewed his allegation of large scale corruption in the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (Anert). He accused Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty and senior officials of being involved in alleged irregularities in a ₹240-crore tender issued by the agency. He also demanded the immediate removal of Anert CEO and called for a forensic audit of the agency's transactions over the past five years. For the fourth consecutive day, Mr. Chennithala released documents alleging misuse of power in tendering process and posed nine questions to Mr. Krishnankutty. 'The Minister cannot remain a mute spectator. This is not a private matter but one involving public money,' he told mediapersons in Kannur on Sunday. 'I made the allegation in public and any explanation must be given publicly and not behind closed doors with the Chief Minister,' he added. He alleged that a tender worth ₹240 crore was floated illegally despite the CEO's limit being ₹5 crore. 'How did the CEO get the authority? On whose order was this tender floated? If we get the answer to that, the real players behind the corruption will be exposed,' Mr. Chennithala said, adding that documents related to the tenders are in his possession. He further claimed that the CEO, a temporary employee and consultancy firm EY were at the centre of irregularites. A contract employees allegedly hired for the just 89 days, handled tender bids that should have been processed by the Finance department. This is a Swapna Suresh model appointment. The nexus involving the CEO, consultant and Minister's office is clear.' he alleged. 'Destruction of evidence' Mr. Chennithala also claimed that Anert's Finance department was deliberately kept in the dark. 'Since my revelations massive file destruction has begun inside Anert. Corruption evidence is being wiped out under the CEO's and consulting firm's leadership,' he alleged. Initially, the Minister said that the matter is being investigated by Electricity Secretary and a report will be submitted within 15 days. Later, the Minister told reporters said that since the Secretrary was not available, the Anert CEO himself will investigate and submit a report. He alleged that a ₹100-crore scam was perpetrated under the PM KUSUM solar scheme. It is a scheme for farmers, with 30% funding from the Centre, 30% from the State and the rest contributed by farmers. The government decided to borrow from NABARD due to insufficient funds. 'Without the knowledge of the Electricity Minister, how can such a massive decisions be taken? The responsibility lies with him too,' he said. He demanded that the Assembly constitute a committee to probe the allegations and called for a forensic audit by an independent agency. 'The CEO must be removed immediately to prevent further destruction of evidence,' Mr. Chennithala said. Responding to the allegations that Youth Congress workers collected funds through an app for the rehabilitation of people affected in Mundakayi, Wayanad, he hit back at the State government alleging a lack of transparency and accountability on its part in the utilisation of funds collected for the rehabilitation of people. Naveen Babu's death On the death of ADM Naveen Babu, Mr. Chennithala alleged that there has been a continuous effort to protect former district panchayat P.P. Divya. 'From the start the government machinery has tried to shield her. That is why the family had to approach the Supreme Court,' he said.
