Karnataka: Opposition plans no-confidence to get the Ayukta truth out
Belagavi: Limited by the lack of provisions in the Lokayukta Act, opposition parties are contemplating moving a no-confidence motion against the Congress government, so that all issues pertaining to Lokayukta corruption could be debated in the legislature.
The motion is likely to come up next week, when the legislature will meet in Bengaluru city in the second leg of the monsoon session. The BJP-JD(S) combine is holding talks in this direction, said sources. Sources said that the opposition was planning to corner the government, based on circumstances pertaining to Lokayukta corruption.
“Though the state government was aware of corruption in Lokayukta for the last two years, it had maintained silence. However, when the Lokayukta started initiating action in two major cases including one against Chief Minister Mr Siddaramaiah pertaining to the Arkavathy layout denotification issue, corruption in the Lokayukta came to light. The other major issue that would have embarrassed the state government was the renewal of iron ore mining licenses for eight companies. The Lokayukta probe was tightening the noose around some powerful people in the government and we want to rake up that issue also during the debate,'' sources said.
While JD(S) floor leader Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy has mooted this plan, the opposition BJP wants to take a call on the issue after consulting former Lokayukta Justice Santhosh Hegde and former Advocate General Mr B.V. Acharya.
On Monday, the opposition wanted the government to consult Justice Hedge on the Ayukta issue when he was in Haveri. By the time government representatives contacted Justice Hegde, he had finished his programme in Haveri and was on the way to Bengaluru. He assured the representatives that he would give his view on the current controversy by Sunday. Opposition leader in the Assembly Mr Jagadish Shettar said that they would take a final decision on the Lokayukta issue after holding a meeting with Justice Hegde.
Though the opposition parties cannot comment on the Lokayukta and two Upalokayuktas in the Assembly, there is no bar on raking up the issue pertaining to the Lokayukta's son Mr Ashwin Rao who is an accused in the Ayukta scam and other staff working in Lokayukta. An FIR has been filed against Mr Rao claiming that he had made calls to bureaucrats demanding money and warning them of raids if they did not pay up
“Whatever decision is taken, the opposition will be united in raking up the issue,'' he said. Mr Kumaraswamy said that apart from Mr Ashwin Rao, there were other issues in the Lokayukta corruption case and it could be debated only by bringing a no-confidence motion against the government. “I have spoken to BJP leaders about it and I am confident that they will agree to my proposal,'' he added.
Opposition pillories Anjaneya on pillow purchase
The proceedings in the Legislative Council were stalled on Tuesday over the alleged irregularities in coir mattress and pillow procurement for SC/ST students hostels across the state. The combined opposition continued its dharna demanding a House panel probe into the procurement scam, however the government rejected the opposition demand for a House panel probe and ordered a CID inquiry in the matter.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that there is no question of protecting any official involved in the scam. The House panel has no power to prosecute errant officials involved in the scam, he said.
After Social Welfare Minister H. Anjaneya found that there are irregularities in purchase of mattresses and pillows for SC/ST student hostels, the government has ordered an inquiry by the Additional Chief Secretary, the Chief Minister said.
Opposition leader K.S. Eshwarappa stated that since the social welfare minister has admitted to over Rs 19 crore irregularities in the scam at the hostels run by the social welfare department, a House panel probe is necessary.
Due to the deadlock, the Chairman adjourned the House for a while. Opposition members alleged that mattresses were supplied to the student hostels at Rs 1700 per piece and Rs 196 for a pillow in 2012-13. However it was revised to Rs 3200 per piece and Rs 400 per pillow, the opposition stated.
Even after the House reassembled in the afternoon, the opposition continued its dharna. The government reiterated it will not order a House panel probe leading to an adjournment for the day.
