Bengaluru: Confronted by opposition leaders in the Legislative Council demanding release of the socio-economic survey conducted in the state on Monday, Social Welfare Minister H.Anjaneya assured the House that the Chief Minister would call a high level meeting and take a decision on releasing it after the Backward Classes Commission had collected data on the number of its SC/ST employees.
But almost in the same breath the Minister, who was replying to BJP member Tara Anuradha, during question hour, admitted that the survey , which began on April 30, 2015 had been completed on May 30 the same year, giving the BJP a handle to attack him further.
While it accused him of trying to mislead the House by saying the Backward Classes Commission was still collecting information when the survery was already complete, BJP member B.J. Puttaswamy demanded, “Did the government conduct a bogus survey? Why should it be collecting information from the government side after the survey was completed?”
Assembly adjourned
The Legislative Assembly was adjourned for the day immediately after zero hour in view of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's day-long visit to the city on Monday.
The ongoing session, however, was extended for three days till June 21. When the proceedings commenced, only the question hour and zero hour were listed as part of the day's agenda. Soon after zero hour, Speaker Mr K B Koliwad made an announcement on extension of the session and adjourned the House for the day.
No plastic rice in market: Health Minister
The government has categorically ruled out sale of plastic rice, sugar, ragi and eggs in the markets as reported in a section of the media.
Replying to a question by BJP’s Ganesh Karnik and Raghunathrao Malkapure in the Council, Health and Family Welfare minister Ramesh Kumar said, “Soon after reports in the media about sale of plastic rice, the government swung into action. Our officials have collected rice samples and sent them for tests, it has been proved that there is no sale of plastic rice, egg or sugar. People need not panic over such rumours.”
Shettar: Ban illegal slaughterhouses
The BJP on Monday accused the government and police of shielding illegal cow slaughter in the state and demanded a ban on all illegal slaughterhouses.
Raising the issue during zero hour, leader of the opposition in the Assembly, Jagadish Shettar said the police recently saved around 15 cattle after five were slaughtered in an illegal slaughterhouse in Jamakhandi
“Around 20 cattle were taken to this slaughterhouse in Jamakhandi, where five were slaughtered. The police inspector ,who saved the other 15, has promised to send them to a cattle shelter,” he told the House, charging that CM Siddaramaiah's statement against cow slaughter was encouraging such elements. “The government should close down these illegal slaughter houses,” he demanded. Joining in, other BJP members claimed the government was shielding those running illegal slaughterhouses. Mr Govind Karajol charged that in one incident when the police raided an illegal slaughterhouse, they let the five or six men running it get away instead of arresting them. “The government and the police are shielding the illegal slaughterhouses,” he alleged.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, T B Jayachadra said that the government would get a proper report on the Jamakhandi incident before making a statement.
