Bengaluru: Legislative Council Chairman D.H. Shankaramurthy has decided to act against eight MLCs who submitted false information before the Council secretariat and claimed TA and DA. The MLCs incorporated their names in the BBMP voter list and claimed TA/DA from the Council for their home districts.
Speaking to this newspaper, Mr Shankaramurthy said, "Last week, an officer from the Chief Election Commissioner's office met me. He told me that the Commission has sent a detailed report to Delhi. Once the Election Commission gives its opinion to the Karnataka chief electoral officer, a copy will be furnished to me", Mr Murthy explained.
In a week, the Election Commission will send its report to the Chief Electoral officer of Karnataka. "Once the report comes, I can act within my jurisdiction. I cannot say whether the Council has the jurisdiction to act or not, now itself. Once I study the opinion of the Election Commission, I will get clarity about the jurisdictional aspects", Mr Shankarmurthy said.
Sources said that if the Election Commission passes on its responsibility to the Council, the Council can act against the 8 MLCs. However before acting against the errant MLCs, the Council has to follow the principles of natural justice by giving fair opportunity to them to defend their case.
By giving false information, the MLCs have claimed TA/DA for their home districts, however, before the Election Commission, they stated that they changed their residence to Bengaluru and were no longer residents in their home districts.
