The BJP on Friday accused Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya of siphoning off crores of rupees meant for the benefit of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and minorities in the state.
The B R Ambedkar Development Corporation, which functions under the Social Welfare department, has on January 2 this year sanctioned drilling of 1,800 borewells in Holalkere Assembly constituency in Chitradurga district under Ganga Kalyana scheme, throwing all rules to the winds.
The Corporation has released funds to 18 contractors who were entrusted with the drilling work on the same day, BJP general secretary and MP Shobha Karandlaje told reporters.
Anjaneya represents Holalkere (SC Reserve) constituency in the Legislative Assembly. Shobha's charges have come a day after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dared the BJP to provide documents to prove that his government is corrupt. Siddaramaiah had also accused the BJP-led NDA government as "90% commission government."
KTPP Act violated
"No tender was called for awarding the work. The Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act has been blatantly violated. The funds have been released to the contractors on the same day of approving the works. The entire money has been siphoned off," Shobha stated, releasing a set of documents to prove her charges.
The BJP leader said the Corporation has altogether sanctioned drilling of 36,000 borewells at a cost of Rs 36 crores across 17 districts on January 2 this year, violating KTPP Act. The corrupt Congress government is looting the tax-payers' money at the fag end of its term. Borewell scam is only a tip of the iceberg. The prime minister (Narendra Modi) said it is 10% commission sarkar. But actually it is 100% commission sarkar, she charged.
"The chief minister claims to be a champion of the Ahinda communities, but in reality he is protecting those who are looting the money meant for the SCs/STs and minorities," Shobha said, demanding that Anjaneya should be removed from the Cabinet immediately. She also demanded a CBI probe into the issue.
Pillow scam
The BJP lawmaker said Anjaneya was involved in a Rs 19-crore bed and pillow scam two years ago. But, Siddaramaiah did not take any action.
Meanwhile, Anjaneya said Shobha's charges are baseless and that there is no irregularities in Ganga Kalyana scheme. He also said he is ready to face investigation by any agency.
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