Lokayukta books Udupi Excise DC in DA case, assets worth Rs 8.69 cr found
Udupi (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Lokayukta police have registered a disproportionate assets case against Udupi Excise Deputy Commissioner T M Srinivas after searches at multiple locations allegedly revealed assets worth Rs 8.69 crore beyond his known sources of income, officials said on Friday.
Lokayukta officials conducted simultaneous raids on March 11 at 15 locations linked to the officer, including his residence, office and properties belonging to his relatives.
During the searches, investigators allegedly found immovable properties valued at Rs 6.90 crore, including 11 sites, six houses and about 31 acres of agricultural land reportedly owned by Srinivas and his family members, officials said.
The officials also seized movable assets estimated at Rs 2.66 crore. These include cash of Rs 3.95 lakh, gold jewellery valued at Rs 1.47 crore, vehicles worth Rs 17 lakh, bank deposits totalling Rs 25.75 lakh and other valuables estimated at Rs 72.68 lakh.
According to Lokayukta police, the total value of assets suspected to be disproportionate to Srinivas' legitimate income has been assessed at Rs 8.69 crore.
Authorities said the searches were carried out following credible information suggesting the officer had accumulated wealth beyond his known sources of income during his government service.
Documents and financial records seized during the raids are being scrutinised to determine the ownership and source of the assets.
A case has been registered, and further investigation is in progress.
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Officially take stand against guarantee schemes, seek its withdrawal in Assembly: Shivakumar to BJP
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday challenged the opposition BJP to officially take a stand as a party against the five guarantee schemes, and to formally make a statement in the Legislative Assembly asking the government to withdraw them.
He said that if the BJP clarifies its official stand during the ongoing Budget session, the matter can be discussed in detail.
The Deputy CM said this while BJP MLA B Suresh Gowda was speaking during the discussion on the state budget in the Assembly.
Asking the government to revisit the guarantee schemes ('Shakti', 'Gruha Lakshmi', 'Gruha Jyoti', 'Yuva Nidhi' and 'Anna Bhagya'), the MLA urged the government to withdraw these schemes from affluent people and divert the funds toward developmental work.
"You (BJP) members are individually sharing your opinion in the Assembly. You tell your decision to us as a party in the Assembly to revisit or withdraw the guarantee schemes. Let's discuss. Since it's your party's opinion, we cannot say it's wrong right away. Let's discuss. If you do it during this Budget session itself, we will discuss it," Shivakumar said.
Gowda replied to Shivakumar by saying that it was the Congress' decision to announce and implement the guarantee schemes, why drag BJP into it, take a decision as a government.
Reacting to it, Shivakumar said, "After the guarantees announcement was made (following the 2023 assembly polls), Yediyurappa (BJP veteran and former CM) had said that the five schemes should be implemented without any shortcoming, so all the schemes were implemented within six months. We have heard you (BJP) too, while implementing the schemes."
Further claiming that unlike in Karnataka, only ruling party workers benefit in BJP-ruled Assam, he said, "Congress people and supporters don't get any benefits there."
Accepting that the guarantee schemes are not needed for those well off, government officials, and others, he said, "We have taken a decision, various suggestions are coming. As a political party you (BJP) come to a decision. We will discuss that....give it officially."
Revenue Minister Priyank Kharge intervened and said, "Let the BJP as its official party, stand say -- withdraw five guarantee schemes."
