ED raids in Valmiki Development Corporation case unwarranted: D K Shivakumar
Tumakuru (Karnataka), Jul 10: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday termed the Enforcement Directorate raids in the Valmiki Development Corporation case as unwarranted.
The ED on Wednesday conducted searches at multiple places allegedly linked to former Karnataka Minister B Nagendra and MLA Basanagouda Daddal in connection with the illegal money transfer case in state owned corporation.
The raids were carried out in Bengaluru, Raichur and Ballari as part of the probe into the alleged unauthorised transfer of Rs 187 crore belonging to the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation from its bank accounts.
This includes Rs 88.62 crore illegally credited to various accounts of some IT companies and a Hyderabad-based cooperative bank, according to official sources.
ALSO READ: "Let ED do their job," says Karnataka CM on searches in Valmiki Corporation ''scam'' case
Speaking to reporters at the Nonavinakere Kadasiddeshwara mutt in the district, he said, "When the SIT set up by the State government is already investigating the case, there was no need for ED to raid in the case."
Asked about ED raids on several places including the residence of former minister Nagendra, the DCM said, "It involves huge amounts of money and hence banks have the authority to investigate the case. ED has come in even though there was no need for it to investigate."
Shivakumar said Nagendra is not at fault as he exuded confidence that he will come out clean after the investigation.
Though he endorsed action against those involved in the fraud, he underlined that similar cases had happened during the previous BJP government.
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Adequate LPG stock in Chhattisgarh, no need to panic, says CM Sai
Raipur (PTI): Amid reports of shortage of commercial LPG cylinder in several parts of the country due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday assured people that they need not worry about the availability of cooking gas in the state.
He asserted that adequate stock of LPG as well as petrol and diesel was available in the state.
Sai said in a statement that authorities have been directed to regularly monitor stock at gas agencies and keep a close watch on the supply chain. Necessary instructions were issued to officials in all districts to ensure a smooth supply of LPG.
The chief minister instructed officials to take strict action if any complaint of black marketing or hoarding of LPG cylinders is received.
Sai urged state residents not to pay attention to rumours and to book cooking gas cylinders as per their actual requirement.
The government was fully alert to ensure the availability of essential commodities to citizens, he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh Hotel and Restaurant Association has issued an advisory to hotels, restaurants, caterers and other food businesses across the state, urging them to maintain calm and avoid panic buying.
In the advisory, Taranjeet Singh Hora, president of the association, asked members to maintain coordination and immediately inform it about any major disruption in LPG supply.
He cautioned businesses against hoarding cylinders, saying such practices could worsen the situation for the entire hospitality sector.
The association advised hotels and restaurants to prioritise essential kitchen operations, core menu items and already committed banquet events.
Use electric cooking equipment wherever possible for emergency and staff kitchens such as induction cooktops, electric hot plates, electric rice cookers and kettles, the advisory stated.
