House panel to probe power deals a farce: HD Kumaraswamy

Bengaluru: The Siddaramaiah government may be relying on state JD(S) president H.D. Kumaraswamy to back it in “exposing” the power deals made by the  last BJP government in the state, but the latter doesn’t seem enthused by the idea.

Describing the setting up of the legislature committee to probe the alleged irregularities in the power deals  as a  farce, Mr Kumaraswamy, asserted on Friday that he would not sign its report. 

“Firstly, under the rules, a Minister does not head a House committee. Secondly, I gave a list of irregularities, which the officials sent back with notes defending them. I  made my point clear and sent them back. But I hear  the government is going with the officers' defence,'' he regretted, charging both the Congress and BJP with covering up for   each other in their acts of corruption  during their respective administrations.  

“Where is the NICE report, that was submitted long ago, but never tabled in the legislature?” he demanded. 

Reacting sharply to CM Siddaramaiah's  comment that he did not need his support,  Mr Kumaraswamy said he  had never offered it. “All I said  was  Mr K J  George (Bengaluru Development Minister) does not need to resign just because an FIR has been filed against him. Only if he is found guilty during the course of the investigation, should he resign,” he explained.

Coming down hard on Mr Siddaramaiah, he asked, “What has been his contribution to the state during the last four years? Only destroying effective institutions like the Lokayukta and creating the ACB, which has given a clean chit to his son without inquiry?” 

Objecting to the  Private Medical Establishment Bill, Mr Kumaraswamy said the government should instead upgrade its own hospitals to provide better healthcare to the poor instead of targeting the fee charged by private hospitals and doctors.