Contractor payment issues a legacy of previous BJP government: D.K. Shivakumar
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday attributed the ongoing contractor payment delays in Karnataka to financial mismanagement by the previous BJP government.
Speaking during the "Bengaluru Nadige” (Walk for Bengaluru) initiative at Vengayyana Kere Eco Park in K.R. Puram, Shivakumar said that the former BJP administration had sanctioned projects far exceeding the state’s budgetary limits, resulting in the current crisis.
“The contractors’ dues are not my personal responsibility. I have already convened a meeting with their association to discuss the matter. I am not afraid of threats,” Shivakumar said, addressing citizens during an interaction session.
He added that the present Congress government is clearing the pending bills in a phased manner. “We are making payments step by step, and will continue to do so until the issue is resolved. If anyone demands a bribe, the affected parties should file formal complaints with evidence. Talking to the media will not bring a solution,” he cautioned.
During the event, a local resident, Sultan Mirza, complained that a revenue officer in K.R. Puram was demanding a bribe of ₹10,000–₹15,000 for processing official documents. Shivakumar immediately directed officials to take action against Revenue Officer Basavaraj over the allegation.
In another grievance, a resident named Vignesh tearfully told Shivakumar that his neighbor, Mallikarjun, had allegedly blocked his house entrance and was demanding ₹10 lakh to allow access. Responding firmly, Shivakumar said, “It doesn’t matter whether they belong to the Congress, BJP, or any other group — strict action will be taken. File a complaint with the police immediately, and I will ensure action is taken by this evening.”
He further instructed municipal officials to visit the site, investigate the situation, and take legal action if threats or extortion were confirmed.
Shivakumar reiterated that his government would not tolerate corruption or intimidation and would continue to clear contractors’ dues while ensuring accountability among officials.
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Can't say when I'll return to India; legally barred from leaving UK: Mallya to Bombay HC
Mumbai (PTI): Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya, facing multiple cases of fraud and money laundering, told the Bombay High Court on Wednesday that he cannot say when he will return to India as he is legally barred from leaving the UK.
In a statement submitted through his counsel Amit Desai to the high court, Mallya said he did not have an active passport after it was revoked and hence, he cannot give a definite date of return to India.
The statement was submitted after a bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad made it clear last week that it would not hear Mallya's plea against the order declaring a fugitive economic offender until he returns to India.
The court had then asked the former liquor to clarify whether or not he intended to return to India.
Mallya, based in the United Kingdom since 2016, has filed two petitions in the HC -- one challenging an order declaring him a fugitive economic offender and the other questioning the constitutional validity of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act.
The 70-year-old liquor baron is accused of defaulting on multiple loan repayments of several thousand crores and facing money laundering charges.
The businessman, in his statement to HC, said he cannot give a definite date for his return as he does not have his Indian passport, which was revoked by the government in 2016, and also because there are orders of courts in England and Wales that prohibit him from leaving the country.
"Mallya is not permitted to leave or attempt to leave England and Wales or apply for or be in possession of any international travel document. In any event, the petitioner is unable to precisely state when he will return to India," Desai read out the statement in the court.
The senior counsel reiterated that Mallya's presence was not required in the country for the court to hear his pleas against the fugitive tag and the provisions of the Act.
"If he (Mallya) were to appear in India, then all these proceedings would be rendered irrelevant as the statute says that once the offender appears in the concerned court of law, then all these orders would be set aside," Desai told the court.
The bench directed the Union government to file its reply to Mallya's statement and posted the matter for further hearing next month.
Mallya was declared a Fugitive Economic Offender in January 2019 by a special court hearing cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The businessman left India in March 2016.
