Mysuru: In the background of the KPCC Spokesperson M. Laxman’s allegations that Chikmagalur MLA and BJP National Secretary C. T. Ravi had amassed 400-500 acres of property under unknown names and that the MLA must be called ‘Looti’ Ravi for his indiscretions, MLA C.T Ravi reportedly issued a legal notice against M. Laxman.
The MLA is said to have issued the legal notice through his lawyer, which states that if M. Laxman does not issue an apology and withdraws the accusations within 48 hours of receiving the notice, a defamation lawsuit would be undertaken against the KPCC spokesperson.
“In a press conference conducted at Mysuru on April 20, it was claimed that ‘10 years ago, C.T Ravi possessed an asset of 19 acres 3. But now, including in Bengaluru, Chikmagalur, Hasan, Delhi, and other places he has amassed 400-500 acres of assets. Additionally, his brother-in-law Sudarshan has been given all contracts in Chikmagalur. The 360 crores contract for the Medical College was also granted to him’, similarly several such false accusations have been made against me. This should be proven, otherwise, a defamation lawsuit will be taken against you”, C.T Ravi’s legal notice to M. Laxman states.
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Bengaluru, Mar 14 (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said the government was planning to hike the water tariff by one paise per litre, claiming that water rates in Bengaluru have not been revised since 2014.
In view of the losses, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has proposed a hike of seven to eight paise per litre, he said.
"But I have told them that 7-8 paise is too much. The government is contemplating a one-paise hike per litre. We will discuss the matter with city MLAs before making a decision," said Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio.
The minister was responding to Congress MLC Ramoji Gowda, who urged the government to expedite the supply of Cauvery water to households given the approaching summer.
"We had a difficult year last year. As many as 7,000 borewells dried up, forcing the government to take over private water tankers. We have executed the Cauvery 5th Stage project, which is providing water to 110 villages," he said.
March 22 is Water Conservation Day, and the government has decided to observe a month-long campaign to create awareness about water conservation, he added, in a statement issued by his office.
Shivakumar alleged that builders had constructed large apartment complexes but had not paid deposits to the BWSSB.
"They have taken connections illegally. We have issued notices to them," he said.
He also warned that the government would take over water tankers this summer as well.
"The water tanker business has become a mafia. We have also decided to fill all the lakes with treated water to help recharge groundwater. The Cauvery 6th Stage plan is also ready," he said.
Noting that many people were using drinking water to wash livestock and water gardens, the minister added, "Many of them are covering bare ground with concrete, which affects water absorption. We will take action on these issues. The water conservation month will help create awareness about all these concerns."
Responding to BJP MLC Keshava Prasad, who raised concerns about compensation for those displaced by the Alamatti Dam and objections raised by Maharashtra, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "I believe an all-party delegation must go to Delhi and urge the Centre to issue a Gazette notification on the third stage of the Upper Krishna project."
When MLC Nagaraj Yadav drew attention to delays in waste disposal, Shivakumar said, "Solid waste management has become a mafia. A tender was called in the past, but vendors collectively moved the court, halting all work."
He added, "The court has yet to deliver a judgment. Some MLAs are blackmailing us over garbage dumping pits—I don’t want to name them. They are demanding Rs 800 crore for their constituencies. Garbage trucks have been parked in Mahadevapura constituency for several days now, and it has become a major issue."
"We are planning to visit Indore to study their waste management model. We haven’t called for a tender, yet the Opposition is claiming I have made Rs 15,000 crore," Shivakumar stated.