AAP slams BJP, calls party's claims about CAG report 'manufactured and baseless'
New Delhi, Jan 12: AAP leader Priyanka Kakkar on Saturday accused the BJP of fabricating false allegations against the Delhi government and dismissed the party's claims about a CAG report as "manufactured and baseless."
Responding to the BJP's claims about the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, Kakkar alleged during a press conference here that the report presented by the BJP was not authentic and had neither been seen by key stakeholders, including the chief minister and the LG, nor listed on the CAG's official website.
"The report they are showing is fake and manufactured in their office. It holds no credibility. This is the same strategy the BJP uses repeatedly to mislead people with false allegations," Kakkar said.
Referring to previous allegations levelled by the BJP, including those in the liquor policy case, Kakkar claimed even the Supreme Court had dismissed their claims as baseless.
"The Dwarka Expressway project, built under the BJP, was initially estimated to cost Rs 7.5 crore but escalated to Rs 705 crore. Instead of addressing such instances of corruption, the BJP is busy making fake allegations," Kakkar said, adding that the party is filling its own pockets under the guise of schemes like Ayushman Bharat.
Kakkar went on to praise former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, calling him a leader who has transformed Delhi through initiatives like free electricity, water, world-class education, healthcare, and free bus rides for women.
She also dismissed the BJP as a "faceless and directionless party" that thrives on baseless accusations and misinformation.
Earlier in the day, BJP leader Anurag Thakur, during a press conference, claimed that the CAG report had highlighted 10 major findings about the excise policy, which was scrapped by the AAP government amid controversy.
Thakur said former Kejriwal must answer the questions raised by the report. "He will have to explain who pocketed the money," Thakur said, accusing Kejriwal of being the kingpin of the scam.
BJP president J P Nadda claimed the CAG report has exposed intentional lapses, leading to a loss of Rs 2,026 crore to the exchequer.
Nadda said on X, "Intoxicated by power, high on misgovernance. 'AAP'DA model of loot in full display and that too on something like liquor."
He said it is just a matter of a few weeks before the AAP government is voted out and punished for its misdeeds.
"The CAG Report on 'Liquorgate' exposes @ArvindKejriwal and @AamAadmiParty Gov. Intentional 'Lapses' in Policy Implementation. Rs 2026 Cr Loss to Exchequer money," he alleged.
The then chief minister Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia were arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the case of alleged corruption in framing the excise policy, which was later scrapped.
Both were released on bail after spending months behind bars.
Intoxicated by power, high on misgovernance.
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) January 11, 2025
‘AAP’DA model of loot in full display and that too on something like liquor.
Just a matter of a few weeks before they are voted out and punished for their misdeeds.
CAG Report on 'Liquorgate' exposes @ArvindKejriwal and…
Visionless, Faceless BJP, जब मुंह खोलती है झूठ बोलती है। pic.twitter.com/CPmSeKmygC
— Priyanka Kakkar (@PKakkar_) January 11, 2025
CAG की तथाकथित फर्जी रिपोर्ट को BJP दिल्ली में कर रही फैलाने की कोशिश | AAP Spokesperson @PKakkar_ की महत्वपूर्ण प्रेसवार्ता | LIVE https://t.co/6nNwUVesGW
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) January 11, 2025
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KSDL invites innovative technology to check sandalwood theft
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has invited farmers, scientists and organisations to come up with innovative technologies to prevent sandalwood theft in the state.
The state-owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), which manufactures Mysuru Sandal Soap has also planned sandalwood cultivation, state Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil said on Thursday.
"In a bid to promote sandalwood cultivation, the KSDL has planned a major initiative. As part of it, farmers, scientists, and organisations possessing information on advanced equipment or innovative technologies to prevent sandalwood theft have been invited to approach KSDL and share the details," Patil said in a statement.
Those interested in this initiative will be given an opportunity to demonstrate such technologies before the organisation, the minister said, adding if the proposed solutions are found suitable and effective, steps will be taken for consideration and implementation.
Patil stated that the cost involved in deploying technologies aimed at preventing sandalwood theft would be borne by KSDL.
Further, with a view to encouraging sandalwood cultivation, four farmers who have supplied the highest quantity of sandalwood to KSDL will be honoured with awards on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar on June 4, he said.
On the same occasion, police personnel and forest officials who have made notable progress in apprehending sandalwood thieves and registering cases, along with members of the public who have provided credible information leading to such action, will also be recognised and rewarded, the minister added.
Patil observed that farmers cultivating sandalwood trees on their lands have been facing increasing threats due to theft in recent years. Illegal felling and theft of sandalwood trees have continued for decades.
Although stringent laws are in place to curb such activities, the number of cases resulting in convictions remains very low, he noted.
"In this context, it becomes the responsibility of the organisation to extend both legal and technical support to farmers and encourage them to take up sandalwood cultivation on a larger scale," he said.
According to him, over the past three years, KSDL has procured 174.5 metric tonne of sandalwood directly from farmers across the state and transferred Rs 6.08 crore to their respective accounts.
