Karnataka Speaker Khader rejects graft charges as 'baseless', 'politically motivated'
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Mangaluru (PTI): Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker UT Khader on Wednesday rejected corruption allegations against him, during the last 2.5 years, as "baseless" and "politically motivated."
He asked the BJP leaders to submit their claims in writing.
BJP MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri had on Tuesday demanded a judicial probe by a sitting judge into allegations of corruption against Khader and called for bringing the office of the Speaker under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, to ensure transparency.
Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and Mangalore City North BJP MLA Y Bharath Shetty too had made similar allegations and demands.
Speaking to reporters, Khader said, "The former Speaker's allegations are baseless, politically motivated, and ill intentioned. I reject them. They are all senior public representatives, whatever doubts they have, they can give me in writing, I will look into it. As far as I'm concerned development is part of my political career and development is my duty."
He further said, "As an MLA I'm working for the development of my constituency, as a Minister in the past -- I have received national awards, and at that time also allegations were there. Now as a Speaker, I'm the guardian of the public representatives. It is my duty to improve the system, the legislature, within my limits, and give various benefits to MLAs. I will do it in the future too."
Accusing Speaker Khader of "corruption" in administrative reforms, Kageri, who is MP from Uttara Kannada on Tuesday said, projects that were rejected by the Finance Department, were taken up by obtaining 4 (g) exemptions under the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act.
Alleging corruption in installation of smart lockers to rooms at legislators' home and other equipment, organising book fair, lighting (to Vidhana Soudha), procuring massage chairs for legislators, food arrangements, AI monitored TV , carpets, among others, he said, "there are allegations that contracts are being awarded to people from Mangaluru (from where Khader hails)."
Section 4(g) of KTPP Act provides for contracts to be awarded without floating tenders - via government orders.
Khader said he would be available at the Vidhana Soudha on Thursday morning, inviting anyone with doubts or allegations to meet him or submit them in writing.
"My intention is -- we have to be good, their intentions also may be the same. But, criticising each other is not a remedy. Let us sit together, let them give in writing, once they give in writing, point to point I will react," he said.
On the demand for a judicial probe, Khader said let them submit the allegations in writing, it will be looked into point by point, and if investigation is warranted, "why not?"
"Let them give in writing, they are public representatives, educated people, they know the legal procedure and the Constitution. Without giving in writing, if they talk about something, how can I react? They are speaking politically. Can I react in the same way sitting in a constitutional post?" he asked.
Welcoming the demand to bring the Speaker's office under the ambit of the RTI, Khader said, let the BJP leaders approach the Lok Sabha Speaker for a decision in this regard at national level.
"What was there during their (BJP) period, it has continued now...." he said.
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Bill to regulate deepfakes tabled in Lok Sabha
New Delhi (PTI): A Private Member's Bill seeking a clear legal framework for regulation of deepfakes has been introduced in the Lok Sabha.
The Regulation of Deepfake Bill, introduced by Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde in the House on Friday, aims to protect citizens by mandating prior consent from individuals depicted in deepfake content.
"Misuse of deepfakes for harassment, deception and misinformation has escalated, creating an urgent need for regulatory safeguards," Shinde said.
The Bill also lists penalties for offenders creating or disseminating deepfake content with malicious intent.
"With advancements in artificial intelligence and deep learning, deepfake technology has emerged as a significant tool for media manipulation. While the technology has potential applications in education, entertainment and creative fields, it also poses severe risks when misused, threatening individual privacy, national security and public trust," Shinde said in the statement of objects and reasons in the Bill.
The proposed Bill seeks to establish a clear legal framework to govern the creation, distribution and application of deepfakes in India, said Shinde, a three-term Lok Sabha member from Kalyan.
The Bill also seeks to establish the Deepfake Task Force, a dedicated body to combat national security implications and evaluate the influence of deepfakes on privacy, civic participation, and potential election interference.
The task force will collaborate with academic and private sector institutions to develop technologies that detect manipulated content, thereby promoting credibility in digital media.
The Bill also proposes to establish a fund to support public and private sector initiatives in the detection and deterrence of advanced image manipulation.
A Private Member's Bill is a procedure of Parliament that enables lawmakers, who are not ministers, to draw attention to issues that might not be represented in Government Bills or to highlight the issues and gaps in the existing legal framework that require legislative intervention.
