Karnataka CM’s financial adviser says his words on corruption twisted
He said earlier government buildings used to last for decades but now they collapse within a decade
By : m.b. girish
Update: 2025-04-09 12:04 GMT
Bengaluru: Congress MLA and Financial advisor to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Basavraj Rayareddy on Wednesday clarified he never made a statement “Karnataka stands number 1 in corruption" and his chat with officials at a meeting has been misrepresented in a section of media for which he is not responsible.
At a press conference in Bengaluru, Basavaraj Rayareddy explained during the meeting with officials concerned in Koppal of Regional Imbalances, compared development works in Old Mysuru region with that of districts in Kalyana Karnataka and stated quality has not been maintained in government works in Kalyana Karnataka districts.
Continuing, he said, earlier government buildings used to last for decades but now they collapse within a decade and in such a scenario, “How can regional imbalances be reduced?” Rayareddy clarified that he told officials concerned to ensure there is no scope for corruption in works.
At the meeting, Rayareddy said he lauded the step taken by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to transfer officials only through counselling and not on mere recommendation letters and counselling of officials will be done in the departments of excise, sub registrar, mines and geology, commercial taxes and couple of other departments.
He said he appreciated Minister of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge to transfer PDOs only through counseling and some MLAs have objected to it. Rayareddy stated “I support it.”
“Let all transfers be held on counseling,” he said and stated otherwise corrupt and bad name for the State will not go.”
At the meeting, Rayareddy said he never blamed Bharatiya Janata Party or the Janata Dal Secular or the Congress party for ‘corruption’ prevailing in the State but it has been inherited for the past 20 years in the State.