BJP criticizes Karnataka government for delaying official residence allocation to LOP R Ashoka
Bengaluru: The Karnataka state government is facing criticism for failing to allocate a government residence to R Ashoka, the Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in the Karnataka Assembly, more than a year after taking charge, according to sources from Ashoka's office.
Despite admitting that the BJP named Ashoka as LOP later than expected, party sources revealed they have written to the government four times requesting an official residence for Ashoka. A special officer also discussed the matter with the state's chief secretary, but the government has yet to respond, it added.
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The BJP has requested 'No 1, Kumarakripa East', 'No 1, Race View Cottage on Race Course Road', or 'No 2, Race View Cottage on Race Course Road' to be allocated as Ashoka's official residence. They wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Chief Secretary Dr. Rajneesh Goel to put forth the request. The party argued that all three buildings are currently unoccupied and conveniently located close to the Vidhana Soudha, which would benefit Ashoka.
In his letter, Ashoka reportedly mentioned that he had been allocated 'No 2, Race View Cottage on Race Course Road' as his official residence when he was a minister in the BJP government but vacated it for the Speaker’s stay.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
