BENGALURU: Former BJP corporator N.R. Ramesh alleged that Agriculture Minister Krishna Byregowda has allegedly favoured his followers to help claim a grant of Rs 41.85 crore, favoured a developer to grab about 43,000 sq. ft. of road and encroaching 23 acres of land in Byatarayanapura assembly constituency.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Ramesh demanded a CBI probe or judicial inquiry into the allegations. Remesh said that Rs 41.85 crore was released to Byatarayanapura for the development of 110 villages.
Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Corporation was entrusted with the duty of executing various civil works. However, the Minister allegedly ensured that contractors close to him got the full payment by completing just 10% of the work.
Interestingly, the estimated cost of the projects were in ‘fancy numbers’. How can any project cost be Rs 44,40,000, or Rs 7,77,000 or Rs 33,30,000, he wondered. I have filed cases against joint commissioner and chief engineer of Yelahanka zone, he added.
Citing another instance, he said “Lake Side Habitat” complex has been constructed jointly by Beary’s Properties and Development Pvt. Ltd and Hara Housing and Land Development Co. Pvt. Ltd, by encroaching close to an acre of BBMP property (road) in Byatarayanapura Constituency.
In return, Byregowda allegedly got a flat and a case has also been registered in this regard. He also said that 23 acres of government land has been encroached upon by his followers and associates. When contacted, Byregowda termed the allegations as ‘ridiculous and baseless’ and refused to comment further.
