Karnataka govt dismisses BJP MLC's Rs 21,473 cr tender scam allegation
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Friday dismissed the allegation of disgruntled BJP MLC A H Vishwanath that the Irrigation Department has readied a Rs 21,473.67 crore tender in a hurry and without financial approval.
Vishwanath, who has been demanding that Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa be replaced, also accused Yediyurappa's younger son and BJP state unit vice-president B Y Vijayendra of interfering in the functioning of the government.
"The charges of Vishwanath that the tender of Rs 20,000 crore Bhadra upper canal project and Cauvery irrigation project was finalised without the consent and approval of the finance department is far from the truth," the government said in a statement.
It further said that the government gave its administrative approval following the consent given by the finance department on December 16, 2020.
The technical advisory committee of the Union Water Resource (Jal Shakti) Ministry gave the nod for Rs 16,125.48 crore on December 24, 2020.
Vishwanath earlier in the day alleged in a press conference that no financial clearance from the Finance Department had been sought, no board meeting took place and the tender was readied in a hurry.
Terming it a "scam", he alleged that the intention was to take "kickbacks" from contractors.
"Is this a contractor-oriented government?", he asked.
The BJP MLC, who had switched his loyalty from the Janata Dal-Secular to the BJP two years ago, alleged that the "entire state" including ministers,had been talking about Vijayendra's interference in the administration.
"Which minister is content today? His (Vijayendra's) interference is in all the departments," Vishwanath charged.
His attack came in the midst of a three-day visit of BJP national general secretary and Karnataka in charge Arun Singh to the state to hold discussions with MLAs in the backdrop of some legislators seeking Yediyurappa's replacement.
Singh is taking part in a meeting of the party's core committee on Friday before winding up his visit.
Vishwanath also recalled that Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K S Eshwarappa had earlier this year approached Governor Vajubhai Vala against the alleged interference by the chief minister in the affairs of his department.
The MLC said Yediyurappa had been to "jail in the past due to his family".
"Is it not true that Yediyurappa had been to jail because of his children? We are afraid that this time again he will land in jail," Vishwanath said.
After meeting Singh on Thursday, Vishwanath had demanded that the 78 year-old Yediyurappa be replaced, considering his age and alleged interference by his son.
The Chief Minister said the BJP high command would decide on the action against Vishwanath for his recent "open statements," as he rubbished as "baseless" his charges against Vijayendra of interference in the administration and "kickbacks" in an irrigation project.
Reacting to the allegations by Vishwanath on the "scam" in the Irrigation department, JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy told reporters in Kolar that "this is a government which believes in loot".
"This is not restricted only to the Irrigation department. It's a government which believes in loot. I have stopped speaking about it because in 2008 also I had raised the matter with evidence. But the case could not reach the logical end", Kumaraswamy said.
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Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the West Asia conflict and called for a calibrated response to deal with any eventuality to ensure that national interests remain protected.
Singh made the comments while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In view of the "uncertain situation", the defence minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality, an official readout said.
He stressed on the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict, it said.
It was the second meeting of the IGoM after it was set up last month.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being taken by the government in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said on social media.
"We also deliberated upon the next steps to be taken by the government to mitigate any adverse impact arising due to the ongoing conflict," he said.
The defence ministry said in the readout said, "In the meeting, the seven empowered groups of secretaries briefed the IGoM on the steps being taken to tackle the situation."
"The IGoM was apprised about measures undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to address concerns arising due to global trade disruptions and provide relief and support to the industry, especially manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence," it said.
It listed measures including notification issued on Wednesday on full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30.
The ministry also mentioned announcement of a special one-time relief measure for eligible units in SEZs to sell manufactured goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates to be effective from April 1 to March 31.
It also noted another notification issued by the Department of Revenue clarifying that the provisions of GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) will not be invoked in respect of investments made prior to April 1, 2017.
"These measures will reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors including textiles, packaging and pharmaceuticals, facilitate supply stability in the country and provide requisite clarity for investors contemplating investments in India," the readout said.
Defence Minister Singh appreciated the government's decision to impose a 25 per cent cap on the monthly increase in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic operations, with effect from April 1.
This step will help protect the people from sudden increase in fares, he said.
The government has accorded highest priority to domestic LPG supply, with refinery production enhanced to fully meet consumption requirements, according to the readout.
"The IGoM was informed that there have been no reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders continues as per the normal schedule. The temporary supply concerns arose due to instances of hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas," it said.
The ministers were informed that strict enforcement action is being undertaken, with raids being carried out across multiple states and Union territories to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG, the ministry said in the readout.
Action has also been taken against some LPG distributors who engaged in malpractices, it said.
"To support migrant labour and low-consumption households, the government is ensuring adequate availability of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, and since March 23, over 4.3 lakh such cylinders have been sold. Special focus is being given to states where demand is higher," it said.
The IGoM was apprised that industrial requirements dependent on commercial LPG are being met, with over 80 per cent of pre-crisis supply levels being maintained to ensure continuity of operations.
"Special meetings have been held with ministries and stakeholders of different industries to understand their demand and meet their needs. Oil PSUs are ensuring continued supply of Auto LPG across the country," the readout noted.
"However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their procurement challenges, which is why lines are being observed at PSU auto LPG pumps. Wherever the autos are dual feed and can use petrol, they are being encouraged to use petrol," it said.
