R Ashoka at Vidhana Soudha.
Credit; Karnataka Govt/YouTube
MUDA row, fund diversions to rock Karnataka Assembly session
The monsoon session of the Karnataka legislature commencing on Monday is expected to be stormy, with the combined Opposition of the BJP and the JD(S) planning to raise issues such as the surge in dengue cases, farmer suicides and alleged irregularities in the allotment of sites to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
Assembly session dates: July 15 - July 26
BJP created MUDA scam, says Dinesh Gundu Rao ahead of session
Govt orders judicial probe in MUDA scam ahead of assembly session
Hours before the Karnataka Assembly Session (July 15-24), the government has set up an inquiry commission to probe the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam that involves CM Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi. The latter owned a little over three acres of farm land, which MUDA acquired to form sites.
For the parting the land, Parvathi was awarded with 14 sites, totalling 38,283 sq ft in the Vijayanagar area, a well developed locality in south Mysuru, in 2021.
The market value of the residential sites Vijayanagar is said to be much higher than Parvathi's land, leading to accusations of a scam by the opposition BJP-JDS.
High Court judge (retd) Justice P N Desai will head the commission and he has been directed to submit report in six months.
Read more | Inquiry commission formed to probe irregularities in MUDA
Karnataka Assembly Session begins in Vidhana Soudha
Karantaka Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader.
Credit: Karnataka Govt/YouTube
Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader begins the session by reading out the preamble of the Indian Constitution.
CM Siddaramaiah pays tribute to prominent people before the start of the session
CM Siddaramaiah at Vidhana Soudha.
Credit: Karnataka Govt/YouTube
Since February 2024's budget session, several prominent people in various fields such as social justice, politics, literature, and cinema passed away.
Speaker UT Khader, and CM Siddaramaiah paid rich tributes to -- Nagamma Keshavamurthy (former minister and also known as Mother Theresa of Davangere), Srinivas Prasad (former BJP MP), K Vasantha Bangera (former MLA), Ramesh Kumar Pande (former MLA), Vasu (former Chamaraja MLA), Kamala Hampana (popular Kannada writer), Dwarakish (Kannada veteran actor/director/producer), Aparna (popular Kannada presenter), and Assayyad Fazal Koyamma Thangal Al Bukhari (Islam religious scholar and Khazi of Ullal).
Also, Opposition Party Leader R Ashoka, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, B Y Vijayendra and other elected members of the legislative assembly paid respects to the departed at Vidhana Soudha.
All of the scams have been created by the BJP: Dy CM DK Shivakumar
BJP leaders stage protest in Bengaluru
C B Suresh Babu has been appointed leader of Janata Dal (Secular)
After taking charge as Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industriyes, HD Kumaraswamy resigned as MLA and leader of Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka.
In his position, C B Suresh Bab, MLA of Chikkanayakanahalli constituency has been named as leader of JD(S) in Karnataka, UT Khader, Speaker, Legislative Assembly, announced at Vidhana Soudha.
BJP MLA Suresh Kumar urged Speaker U T Khader to pass a resolution in Vidhana Soudha to congratulate Karnataka stalwart Rahul Dravid (head coach) and Indian men's Cricket Team for winning the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup in West Indies.
Karnataka Legislative Assembly adjourned till 2:30 pm
After dedicating the morning session for the condolence messages, Speaker U T Khader announced to MLAs to reassemble at 2:30 pm IST.
BJP leaders stage protest near Vidhana Soudha
BJP president B Y Vijayendra, Oppositiion leader R Ashoka, Arvind Bellad (Deputy Leader of Opposition- Karnataka Legislative Assembly) and other BJP protesting against scams in Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.
Karnataka Legislative Assembly Monsoon Session resumes
BJP leaders demand debate over MUDA, Valmiki corporation scams
R Ashoka seeks debate on corruption cases against ruling party Congress.
Credit: Karnataka Govt/YouTube
Opposition leader R Ashoka, his deputy Arvind Bellad and V Sunil Kumar urge Speaker UT Khader to debat on the scams related to the illegal allotment of MUDA sites to CM Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi and illegal money transfer from Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation by B Nagendra, who by the way is under arrest by Enforcement Directorate.
We are ready to debate on MUDA and Valmiki Corporation scam, but only after question hour: CM Siddaramaiah
CM Siddaramaiah at Vidhana Soudha
Credit: Karnataka Govt/YouTube
Both CM Siddaramaiah and Dy CM DK Shivakumar requested the opposition leaders R Ashoka, Arvind Bellad and other BJP leaders to follow the procedure of the session. Asked them wait for the question hour to end and then, later take up the discussion on scams related to MUDA and Valmiki Corporation.
BJP and JDS leaders agree to the CM's request. They asked Speaker UT Khader for assurance to give time for debate on the irregularities in the government agencies.
Araga Jnanendra requests for permanent surveyors fo malnad and coastal regions
Thirthahalli constituency BJP MLA Araga Jnanendra.
Credit: Karnataka Govt/YouTube
Senior BJP leader and Thirthahalli constituency MLA Araga Jnanendra requested Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda to deput permanent surveyors in his taluk in Malnad and the coastal regions.
"There is a severe dearth of surveyors which is impacting the division of lands. People are running from pillar to pillar every day at taluk offices. There is an increased case of family land disputes in our regions. Some of those who come from Bengaluru, do not stay here long and return to home departments. Also, there is a shortage of contract land surveyors, " said Araga Jnanendra.
Krishna Byregowda agreed to the request and also assured that the government is doing direct recruitment of permanent surveyors across the state. And, assured to depute more surveyors to the Malnad regions at the earliest.
This is a case of fence eating the crop: R Ashoka on Valmiki Corporation
R Ashoka, leader of opposition at Vidhan Soudha.
Credit: Karnataka Govt/YouTube
"For the last one month, there are multiple reports of corruption in Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. This case is serious as it involves money meant for development of dalits. For me, this is a first case of money diverted to different state to loot the money of underprivileged people of Karnataka people," said R Ashoka.
"It is unfortunate the Congress, which proclaims as champions of Dalit upliftment, has siphoned off the money of Scheduled Tribes," R Ashoka noted.
"After 100 days of government, CM Siddaramaiah and this department used to spend money for ads on how the government working without any corruption with campaign slogan nudidhante nadedidheve (implemented guarantees as promised). Now, your government is under lens for 187 crore fraud in Valmiki corporation," added R Ashoka.
"As per government order of spending Rs 175 crore for scheduled tribe community members, govt sanctioned Rs 12.52 crore fund for self-employment scheme with direct cash loans and subsidies for youngsters and women to own food carts, and Rs 16.48 crore subsidy to buy goods vehicles, and Rs 15 crore for ST women with no lands, to buy agriculture lands. And, for women self-help groups, every women stand to get Rs 10,000 benefits. All these funds were supposed to reach the underprivileged. But, did they really get their due?," R Ashoka questioned the government.
B Nagendra got around 20% cut, others are also involved: R Ashoka
Citing media reports, R Ashoka said Valmiki corporation scam kingpin B Nagendra just got 20 per cent cut, some of the money was diverted to Telangana and illegal money was used by Congress for campaigning in the recently concluded election in Bellary.
CM Siddaramaiah refutes allegation of Valmiki Corporation's money used for the Bellary election
CM Siddaramaiah asked R Ashoka to refrain from accusing the government of misusing the Valmiki Corporation's money.
As of now, "there is no evidence to prove the allegations. Neither Nagendra or anybody in the case have admitted in writing of doing any misdeeds. I don't want the people to get the wrong message," said CM Siddaramaiah.
But, R Ashoka pointed that the remand copy submitted by Enforcement Directorate to the court mentions that the money from Valmiki Corporation was reportedly diverted to Bellary election campaign.
Govt should give justice to Valmiki Corporation scam whistleblower, who died by suicide: R Ashoka
Opposition leader Ashoka slammed the government for its apathy towards whistle-blower Chandrashekhar, who died by suicide.
Reading out ,
In his six-page death note, Chandrashekhar alleged Nagendra of given an oral order to transfer the money and take the blame for the corruption case.
So far, the victim's wife has not received any relief from the government concerning PF and other monetary entitlements, noted R Ashoka.
R Ashoka continued to attack the government, as he read out the scam details explained by Chandrashekhar in his suicide letter.
Chandrashekhar's death is not by suicide, but state-sponsored murder: R Ashoka
"Chandrashekhar, a dalit government employee was forced to be part of the Valmiki Corporation scam. He was illegally confined in a Goa hotel and yet resisted the attempts of the corrupt officials and minister to further loot the Valmiki Corporation. With his death, the scam got out to the public. It's not a suicide, Chandrashekhar was a victim of state govt-sponsored murder. Because of him, the money (187 crore) can now be recovered. The dalit family's curse will hit the Karnataka government. His family should get justice," said R Ashoka.
Opposition leader R Ashoka seeks CBI probe in to Valmiki corporation scam
Leader of the opposition R Ashoka at Vidhana Soudha.
Credit: Karnataka Govt/YouTube
As this scam is more than Rs 100 crore, Karnataka government should officially hand over the investigation to CBI to fully probe the Valmiki Corporation scam in all angles. And, ensure Chandrashekar gets justice and dalit community members get their money back.
DK Shivakumar defends Valmiki Corporation scam accused B Nagendra
Dy CM DK Shivakumar at Vidhana Soudha.
Photo Credit: Karnataka Govt/YouTube
Countering Opposition leader R Ashoka's claim of Nagendra the kingpin of Valmiki Corporation scam, Deputy CM Shivakumar came on record in Vidhana Soudha, defending his party member.
"I want to say it on record. I personally spoke to B Nagendra and the latter assured me, he is not involved in any corruption in the Valmiki Corporation.I didn't even ask him to resign. He himself voluntarily resigned and asked me to induct him back to cabinet, once he gets the clean shit from the SIT investigation. Nagendra is clean and will come out free from ED soon, " said DK Shivakumar.
Fraudsters used fake companies in Bengaluru to divert money illegally from Valmiki Corporation: R Ashoka
"Corrupt Karnataka government officials in collusion with Congress ministers created 18 fictitious companies in Bengaluru and Telangana to illegally divert money from Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation for non-existent works," noted R Ashoka.
Congress should stop crocodile tears on SC/ST communities not able to grow in the society. They all speak lies of uplifting them, but in reality loot their money to self-growth, added R Ashoka.
Ashoka also told the government to hold corporation accounts only in nationalised banks and not in private banks, as the former have better security measures to keep a tab on money transfers. This ensures the public's wealth is not pilfered.
CM Siddaramaiah disrupts R Ashoka, asks Opposition leader to wind up the speech
CM Siddaramaiah at Vidhana Sabha.
Credit: Karnataka Govt/YouTube
Monsoon Assembly Session adjourned for the day
Citing pausity of time, U T Khader adjourned the Monsoon Assembly Session for the day.
Congress government will soon hold a cabinet meeting and the opposition leaders of BJP and JD(S) are also scheduled a meeting tonight at the Vidhana Soudha.
So, the session will start tomorrow (July 16) at 9:00 am IST.