Latest news with #RajivGandhiHousingCorporation
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Home minister Parameshwara pledges to make Karnataka drug free
Koppal: Home minister G Parameshwara stated that the state govt is committed to establish Karnataka as a drug-free state. During a press conference on Sunday, he emphasised that actions will be taken to prevent drugs from entering the Anegondi area of the district. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "If necessary, a police station will be set up there to protect the interests of the local residents and to curb the availability of drugs for tourists," he confirmed. Addressing Basavaraj Rayareddy's statement about Gangavathi taluk being a ganja centre, he said, "We will address his concerns and suggestions. Measures will be implemented to combat drug issues." Regarding BR Patil's allegations about corruption in the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation, the minister said, "If there was any wrongdoing in the housing project, BR Patil should contact the minister of the relevant department or at least file a complaint with our department, and the govt will take suitable action. Responding to minister HK Patil's correspondence about mining irregularities, Dr Parameshwar said, "Patil mentioned in his letter that the govt lost Rs. 1.5 lakh crore due to mining irregularities. However, he did not accuse the govt. He only pointed out that cases of mining irregularities are being delayed. Nevertheless, the govt will take action on this matter." "The police have been given autonomy to function. No officer faces pressure in their duties. We have served the people of the state for two years. We remain dedicated to fulfilling our commitments. Substantial funds have been allocated to guarantee schemes. All development initiatives remain active," Parameshwara explained. Regarding home ministry recruitment, he noted, "After the PSI scam, recruitment had paused. The numerous vacant PSI positions across the state have now been filled. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A Hyderabad-based organisation has recognised Karnataka's police system as exemplary. Our department's officers are performing excellently." In response to a question regarding the change in the KPCC president, Parameshwara said, "I don't know." Chief minister's economic advisor Basavaraj Rayareddy, MP K Raghavendra Hitnal, District Congress general secretary Krishna Ittangi, and others were present.
The Hindu
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Poojary seeks Khan's resignation over alleged corruption in house allotments
Seeking the resignation of Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan over alleged corruption in house allotments, Kota Srinivas Poojary, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP, said on Sunday that the corruption charges made by senior Congress MLA B.R. Patil reflect a betrayal of the poor by the State government. Addressing presspersons in Udupi the MP said that Mr. Patil's allegation that officials linked to the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation demanded bribes of ₹10,000 for house allotments is a serious matter and State government should take action against the officials concerned. Mr. Poojary said that Mr. Patil, MLA for Aland and Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman, refused to retract his claims because he (Mr. Patil) only spoke what he witnessed. Questioning the silence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the allegation Mr. Poojary threatened that the BJP will launch a State-wide agitation seeking the suspension of corrupt officials if the State government did not investigate the matter. The MP criticised Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for denying the MLA's allegation. Criticising the State government for restricting Hindutva leader Srikanth Shetty from participating in a Shivaji Maharaj event in Bagalkot the MP claimed that there were no serious charges against Srikanth Shetty. 'Using preventive detention in this manner is a dangerous precedent. Why is the government muzzling nationalist voices like Shetty and Sulibele,?' he asked. Referring to the recent statement of Udupi district in charge minister Laxmi Hebbalkar that there was delay in releasing funds under MGNREGA, Mr. Poojary said that the Union government released ₹50.51 crore to Udupi district for 2024-25. The Centre released ₹6.21 crore to the district for April to June, 2025. The annual budget for MGNREGA has grown significantly under the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said adding that the daily wage, which was ₹ 155 during the UPA regime, has now been raised to ₹370 under the NDA rule.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"If I Open...": Karnataka MLA's Corruption Charge Against Own Government
In a big embarrassment for the Congress government in Karnataka, an audio of party MLA BR Patil flagging corruption in the housing department has gone viral, prompting jabs from the BJP, which has accused the party of "looting" the state. The alleged conversation is between Mr Patil and Sarfaraz Khan, the private secretary of Housing Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan. The Congress MLA from Aland can be heard expressing frustration that the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation is ignoring recommendation letters issued by MLAs and bribes were being taken for the allotment of houses in his constituency and neighbouring areas. "What will you check? This is my experience... an allegation against my minister and my party's government... You will never get evidence of bribes being exchanged... In my neighbouring Afzalpur constituency, bribes have been given for the allotment of so many houses," Mr Patil can be heard saying in Hindi. The MLA then rattles off a list of 100-200 houses each being allotted in this manner in different places, saying the total he knows of is 950. "If I open my mouth, the government will be shaken," he remarks. Mr Khan notes down the names of the places, assuring the MLA that action would be taken. "I will check with the Rajiv Gandhi Corporation. I will immediately take action," he says. Asked about the audio clip on Friday, the MLA admitted it was his voice on the call but refused to comment further, saying he would speak to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah about this. Government Response To a question on Mr Patil's allegations, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said he does not know about them. Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarikholi assured that there would be an investigation. "Let's see if this was said on the record or off the record. Either way, now that this has been said, the government will investigate. That's when we will know what happened," he BJP's Attack Senior BJP leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, Arvind Bellad, said Mr Patil's remarks are proof that one "has to pay" to get work done under the Congress government in the state. "Mr Patil has very categorically and openly alleged that people who have made payments have been allotted houses. He has also given instances. This is the practice in every government department. It's an auction - whoever pays the highest, their work will be done... No inquiry will reveal anything. They are all looting the state together," he sneered, alleging that both the chief minister and his deputy were aware of the corruption.
