Shivamogga: Former Minister Araga Jnanendra makes controversial statement on Kharge's complexion
Shivamogga: Former Minister Araga Jnanendra made a controversial statement on AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge's complexion, during a protest held in Theerthahalli town on Tuesday against the implementation of the Kasturirangan Report.
Addressing the protesters, Jnanendra, who had lashed out at Forest Minister Ishwar Khandre and Kharge, said, “We are unfortunate to have a local representative as Forest Minister, since we have a minister bereft of forests. He knows nothing about trees and plants or the shades of trees, as the greenery seems burnt. Take a look at Kharge and you will realize this. He has survived with barely a few strands of hair on his head.”
Speaking about the Kasturirangan Report, the former minister said that implementation of the report will give rise to problems. “If the original inhabitants were deprived of the forests, the Sahyadri forest range would not have survived. An unscientific survey was conducted from Delhi, merely using satellite images. People are already suffering from many such laws. If the Kasthurirangan report is implemented, the problem will worsen”, he said.
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If asked for commission, contractors should approach Lokayukta: DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru(PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday suggested that if anyone has demanded commission from contractors to pay their bills, then they should file a complaint with Lokayukta.
His reaction comes a day after the Karnataka State Contractors Association (KSCA) alleged that the menace of commission was now more severe than the previous BJP government.
They claimed that "unseen hands and brokers" were active in the offices of Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar and two other senior Cabinet Ministers.
Responding to these allegations, Shivakumar denied involvement of ministers and said, "If anyone has asked for commission from contractors to pay bills, they should file a complaint with the Lokayukta. Our ministers Satish Jarkiholi and Boseraju are not involved in this."
Interacting with to reporters in vidhana soudha, Deputy CM said, If contractors are asked for commission, they should file a complaint with the Lokayukta. Shivakumar questioned as to why should contractors ask the minister regarding bill payment? "Are they (contractors) not aware of the department's budget? How did they take up the contract when there is no grant?"
"During the BJP tenure, contracts worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore were awarded by my department alone. MLAs are requesting for payment of these contract bills," he said.
He stated that during the BJP government, they had warned the contractors a year in advance before the assembly elections.
"We warned them not to take up any work without funds. However, without listening to us, they are now issuing letters of request for payment of bills through political leaders," he added.
On Thursday, KSCA president R Manjunath said "brokers" were active in Shivakumar's office and he also alleged interference by one relative of Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi in the affairs concerning his department.
He further claimed that Minor Irrigation Minister NS Boseraju's son (Ravi Boseraju) "makes all the deals".
While Shivakumar asked the contractors to lodge a complaint in writing, Boseraju and Jarkiholi have denied the allegations.
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