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Karnataka CM, KJ misused Rs 2,000 crore: NR Ramesh

For many roads, in a span of three-and-half years, officials have created documents that the roads were asphalted completely twice, he alleged.

Bengaluru: Former leader of opposition and BJP city unit president N.R. Ramesh has alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George have misused funds of over Rs 2,000 crore and have taken commission from the road development works and white topping in the city.

Mr Ramesh, who has already filed a complaint on his charges with the Anti-Corruption Bureau, on Monday said, “Mr Siddaramaiah and Mr George have taken a commission of Rs 400 crore under road development works and Rs 200 crore under white topping."

From April 1, 2014 till October 10, 2017, Rs 9,662 crore has been released. For the development of major roads, of the allocated Rs 4,878 crore, over Rs 2,000 crore has been misused, he alleged. A contractor, who lays a road, will have to maintain it for three years. Though many roads in the city still fall under the maintenance period, BBMP officials have spent Rs 130 crore for filling potholes.

For many roads, in a span of three-and-half years, officials have created documents that the roads were asphalted completely twice, he alleged.

“A kilometre of white topping could have been done at a cost of Rs 4-4.5 crore, but Rs 10.58 crore was spent, looting Rs 5-6 crore per kilometere. For white topping of 100 km roads, Rs 600 crore has been looted. Apart from the looting, white topped roads have become a serious threat to the environment with the water table around these roads falling drastically to 978 feet,” he said.

Mr Ramesh said that he will take the issue of environmental degradation to the National Green Tribunal.

He dared the government to check the quality of asphalt from reputed national labs and alleged that instead of using bitumen of 60/70 standard, officials have used 80/100 standard, which is very cheap.

BJP city unit president N.R. Ramesh, who has already filed a complaint on his charges with the Anti-Corruption Bureau, on Monday said, “Mr Siddaramaiah and Mr George have taken a commission of Rs 400 crore under road development works and Rs 200 crore under white topping." Mr Ramesh said that he will take the issue of environmental degradation to the National Green Tribunal

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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