Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's Nagara Pradakshine (city rounds) to inspect various major developmental works taken up the civic bodies had a filmy touch when he suspended a BBMP Assistant Executive Engineer on the spot.
Mr Siddaramaiah lost his cool when he received complaints from MLC V.S. Ugrappa against the AEE Venkatesh that he has been turning a blind eye towards illegal buildings coming up in HSR Layout. He immediately called upon the AEE, gave an earful for his failure to avert construction happening in violation of the sanctioned plan. Then he curtly said "Go away from here. I am suspending you."
Back on city rounds
After a gap of over 6 months, Mr Siddaramaiah is back with city rounds. With just few months left for assembly elections, he has decided to inspect the progress of various developmental projects every month.
Cobblestone pavement
The Chief Minister's inspection, which began at 10am from his official residence Krishna, first visited Church Street. He was briefed by BBMP officials that cobblestones made from indigenous material will include a Kasuti pattern and will be tribute to Karnataka's culture.
He was upset over the slow progress of works and told the officials to speed them up get it done by October end.
Launches agarbathi
The Chief Minister also inspected the M.G. Road and then headed to Cauvery Emporium, where he launched Cauvery Rajgandh Agarbathi (incense stick).
Lake inspection
The Chief Minister inspected Mestripalya Lake, located at Koramangala 3rd Block. "Of the Rs 7 crore allocated, Rs 3 crore was spent on developing the park. The remaining Rs 4 lakh will be utilized to develop the lake," officials said.
Siddaramaiah directed the officials to speed up the works and open the park for public at the earliest.
Housing project
Under the single house project, 625 houses will be built for the poor at Adugodi's Rajendranagar, Mr Siddaramaiah said.
"Under the project, beneficiaries have to pay Rs 50,000, while the rest Rs 4.5 lakh will be borne by the state government" he said and added that as the poor cannot afford Rs 50,000 he has directed the BBMP Commisioner Mr Manjunath Prasad to explore the options to bear the cost.
During the Chief Minister's city rounds, traffic jams were reported from regions where his convoy went.
I-T raids politically motivated, says Siddaramaiah
Replying to reporter's question on conclusion of Income Tax raids at Power Minister D.K. Shivakumar's properties, Chief Minister said, "This I-T raid is politically motivated and is against the constitution. We will protest if these kind of undemocratic raids are carried out." He questioned why there were no I-T raids on BJP's former deputy chief minister Eshwarappa, former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, Union Ministers Ananth Kumar and Sadananda Gowda. "Aren't there any allegations against these BJP leaders" he questioned. Stressing that they have no objection if the raids are conducted within the ambit of law, Mr Siddu threatened to reply to union government, led by BJP, in the same political tone if such politically motivated raids continue to happen.
