10 hours ago
Institutional corruption in housing schemes under Congress rule, alleges Leader of Opposition Ashok
The Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, R. Ashok, launched a scathing attack on the Congress government, saying that it had institutionalised commission rates across various departments involving the housing sector.
Speaking to reporters in Mandya, Mr. Ashok said the government reeks of corruption, and it has laid out the 'rate list for bribe'.
'For every house constructed, a 15% cut goes to the Minister's office, 3% for government approvals, 10% for engineers, 2.5% for issuing work orders, and 8% for NOC clearance,' he said.
Mr. Ashok claimed that these figures were not speculative, and the housing scam was the biggest to rock the State so far. Citing figures, the BJP leader said that under the Basava Housing Scheme (Rural) 1,13,546 houses have been completed at a cost of ₹1,987 crore. Of this, Mr. Ashok alleged that ₹725.2 crore was siphoned off as commission.
He alleged that under the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Awas Yojana (Rural), 45,954 houses were constructed at an expenditure of ₹804 crore, of which the commission was ₹293.53 crore. Mr. Ashok said the cumulative commission for the housing scheme in urban and rural areas was in excess of $2,000 crore.
Replying to a question, Mr. Ashok said the BJP will launch a State-wide agitation against it, interact with the beneficiaries in all the districts, and lay siege to the government offices.
