HD Kumraswamy
Credit: DH Photo
New Delhi: Alleging a largescale corruption in Housing and Minorities Welfare Departments in Karnataka, Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H D Kumaraswamy on Monday dared Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to sack Housing and Minorities Welfare Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan.
Addressing a press conference here, the Union minister also released a document in which the State Finance Department is seeking clarification from the Minorities Welfare Department about reason for granting approval for Rs 398-cr works under Minorities Colony Development scheme without the approval of the Cabinet or Finance department.
He said the Finance Department (Expenditure) wing on June 20, 2025 sought a clarification from the Minorities Welfare Department about release of 50% funds of the total Rs 398 crore for taking up works. The Minorities Welfare Department order dated February 25, 2025 said the money will be released in the 2024-25 fiscal year. Since the 2024-25 fiscal is already over, how the remaining 50% will be released, the Finance Department questioned.
Citing this was a small example how the departments function in the Siddaramaiah government, the JD(S) leader sought to know how worths worth crores of rupees could be sanctioned without approval of the Finance department.
Kumaraswamy said even the ruling party MLAs have started making corruption charges against the Ministers.
"Congress MLA Belur Gopalakrishna demanded the resignation of the Housing Minister Zameer and a full investigation into the irregularities," Kumaraswamy said.
"There are multiple layers of scams within the Housing Department. Will the chief minister demand the Housing minister’s resignation? Does this CM have the courage, integrity, or moral authority to do so?" Kumaraswamy said.