Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Sunday accused the RSS of indulging in "money laundering", and also questioned its source of income.
He said that he wants the law and Constitution that is applicable to everyone in the country, should apply to RSS too.
"RSS did not hoist the national flag in their office for 52 years. They teach us about patriotism," Kharge said.
Addressing a gathering at an event here, he said, "It (RSS) has a network of more than 2,500 organisations, they are from America, England. They take money from them. I am telling -- that these people are into money laundering."
Questioning as to where the RSS is getting money from and how, he said, "they want us to be good citizens, pay income tax, but they want to remain free. How is it possible. We will have to question this."
Later speaking to reporters, while pointing out that RSS is an unregistered organisation, Kharge asked, whether "they are above law or Constitution."
"It is good that all organisations should come under the ambit of law and constitution, whether it is RSS or any other organisations. Are they above law and constitution. Mohan Bhagwat (RSS chief) says it (RSS) is a body of individuals. So is Bangalore Club, have they not registered? Are they not paying taxes?" he further asked.
Stating that his question is why the RSS was unregistered, he said, "Where is their Guru Dakshina (donation) coming from."
"Who is paying it? Why is it (RSS) not paying tax? When every rupee of others is being accounted for, why is there no accountability for their (RSS) money," he asked.
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Bengaluru (PTI) The Karnataka government on Thursday indicated that it may hike the family income limit to obtain a Priority Households (PHH) ration card, considering rising costs.
Karnataka Health & Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao gave this indication in the Legislative Assembly, while replying to a question on behalf of Food and Civil Supplies Minister K H Muniyappa. He was responding to a question by senior BJP MLA C N Ashwath Narayan, during question hour.
"The current family annual income limit of Rs 1.20 lakh was fixed in 2017, it should certainly be accepted that the amount is less. From 2017, we are now in 2026. There is a need to revise this. It must be re-examined," said Rao, who previously served as Food and Civil Supplies Minister.
Noting that the Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission, headed by senior Congress MLA R V Deshpande, has recommended increasing the income limit to Rs 3 lakh, he said, "The department will look into this."
Raising the issue, Narayan stressed the need for higher income limits as the cost of living in Bengaluru had risen.
Replying to Narayan's statement that 50 per cent of the urban population should get PHH or Antyodaya cards, citing the Food Security Act, the minister said the act meant for the country as a whole, while it varies for states.
Karnataka has 1.24 crore households with PHH ration cards, Rao said. "The Centre has identified 1.09 crore eligible families in Karnataka. But the state has exceeded this by 15.8 lakh families. In some rural areas, 95 per cent of the population is covered."
He also highlighted cases where ineligible people have obtained the card.
"There is demand for this card as it is considered the basis for obtaining other benefits like medical and other things. They don't want it for obtaining ration, but for other benefits," he said.
