MUDA 'scam' an "outcome" of power struggle between CM and Deputy CM: Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy
Mandya (Karnataka), Jul 5: Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy claimed on Friday that the alleged land scam in Mysuru Urban Development Authority was an "outcome" of power struggle between the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar.
“It’s an old news. Why has it surfaced now? The MUDA scam is getting lots of publicity now. Who started it? The person who is anxious to become the next Chief Minister and is waiting to unseat Siddaramaiah has done it,” Kumaraswamy told reporters here without directly naming Shivakumar.
Responding to Kumaraswamy's charge, Shivakumar told reporters in Bengaluru: "Some people don't get sleep and their brain don't work without remembering me."
The Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries, who is also the JD(S) second-in-command, said the "news" got prominence only to bring a "bad name" to the Chief Minister so that he can be removed from his post.
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“This is a conspiracy within the Congress to unseat the Chief Minister by hiring a team of lawyers and extracting documents from MUDA,” Kumaraswamy alleged. “This is an attempt to trap the Chief Minister.”
The BJP has alleged irregularities in allotment of alternative sites to land losers, including Chief Minister's wife Parvathi, by MUDA.
Denying any wrongdoing, the Chief Minister had said the plots were given to his wife by MUDA in 2021 when BJP was in power.
Reacting to this, Kumaraswamy, a former Chief Minister, sought to know what the ruling Congress has been doing for the past one year after coming to power.
“Why didn’t you take action when a file pertaining to the irregularities in MUDA came before you (Siddaramaiah)? Why were you silent then? What inspired you to take action now?” the Mandya MP asked.
The Chief Minister said earlier this week housing sites allotted by MUDA under the 50:50 scheme to land losers have been put on hold pending an investigation into the alleged irregularities.
The BJP has alleged that irregularities to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore had taken place in distribution of sites to land losers by MUDA.
"Apparently 4,500-5,000 sites were allotted by flouting norms," a BJP leader claimed.
The BJP has alleged that alternative sites were allotted to Parvathi in an upmarket area in Mysuru, which had higher property value as compared to the location of her land which had been "acquired" by the MUDA, and sought his resignation.
The MUDA had allotted plots to Parvathi under the scheme in lieu of over three acres of her land, where MUDA developed a residential layout.
The controversial scheme envisages allotting 50 per cent of developed land to the land loser in lieu of undeveloped land acquired for forming layouts.
Mysuru is the home district of Siddaramaiah.
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Present situation doesn't call for declaring dengue a medical emergency in K'taka: Dinesh Gundu Rao
Bengaluru, Jul 8: Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday said the situation now doesn't call for declaring dengue as a "medical emergency" in the state, as he rejected the suggestion made by the opposition BJP.
He said, amid a spike in dengue cases, officials have been issued directions to take all preventive measures.
Leader of Opposition in Assembly R Ashoka, eminent cardiologist and Bangalore Rural BJP MP Dr C N Manjunath had urged that the Congress government declare dengue as a “medical emergency", and called for more efforts to control its spread.
"We have held separate meetings with CEOs of Zilla Panchayats from all districts and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Instructions have been given to spray medicines at places where mosquitoes germinate and spread more awareness among the public," Rao said.
ALSO READ: Amid spike in dengue cases, Karnataka govt. launches awareness campaign
Speaking to reporters here, he said as there are many active dengue cases in the state, the number of tests being conducted have been increased and arrangements have been made for treatment. Also, there are a couple of Zika virus positive cases.
The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) met on Sunday in the backdrop of advice from opposition leaders and others to declare dengue as a medical emergency, the Minister said.
"But the situation is not such, to declare it a medical emergency, because all the facilities are there, like beds, medicines. The TAC was of the opinion that the situation was not so grave," he said.
As per health department data, Karnataka has till last evening recorded 7,165 dengue positive cases since January this year, with areas coming under the city civic body, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) accounting for the largest at 1,988.
On Sunday, the state reported 159 fresh dengue infection cases, including 80 in BBMP areas.
To a question about any discussion at the TAC meeting regarding reserving beds for dengue patients, Rao said dengue infection doesn't spread from person to person, unlike COVID, but still hospitals have been advised to keep beds.
"These cases can be handled at general wards, as there will be no need for any isolation......There is a need to spread awareness among people as to at which stage of fever they need to go to hospitals, and it will be done," he said, adding that there is need to be cautious for another two-three months as rains are likely to continue.
Asked about reports that some private hospitals were still charging more for dengue testing, despite the government capping the rates, he said: "If anyone complaints we will take action, I will also ask our officials to check. We can take action, no one should charge more."
Urging the opposition not to politicise over dengue and spread fear among people, the Minister said, they have to behave responsibly and join hands with the government.
"Instead, making vague statements is not right. I have spoken to BJP MP C N Manjunath, he spoke well and gave good advice, but Ashoka and other opposition leaders are saying vague things, they should think scientifically and advise in the interest of the people."
"More than mosquitos, BJP's lies are spreading faster. It needs to be curbed," the Minister commented.
ಸೊಳ್ಳೆ ಹರಡುವ ಖಾಯಿಲೆಗಳಿಗಿಂತ ಬಿಜೆಪಿಯ ಸುಳ್ಳುಗಳು ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಅಪಾಯಕಾರಿಯಾಗಿ ವೇಗವಾಗಿ ಹರಡುತ್ತವೆ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಬಿಜೆಪಿಯವರ ಸುಳ್ಳುಗಳನ್ನು ನಿಯಂತ್ರಿಸಬೇಕಿದೆ.#StopLyingBJP #BJPFails @RAshokaBJP @DrSudhakar_ @BJP4Karnataka pic.twitter.com/8cMQHL9WiC
— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) July 8, 2024
