JOIN USAddressing a press conference in Bangalore on Monday, Revanna said Bopaiah, who was Deputy Speaker, began functioning as the pro tem speaker soon after Jagadish Shettar resigned as Speaker on November 17, 2009. Bopaiah was elected Speaker a month later on December 30.
Bopaiah, who used to reside at the Legislators’ Home when he was the Deputy Speaker, continued to live there after he became the Speaker. Hence, he is not entitled for house rent allowance. Shettar, as the Speaker, used to reside at the LH but he had never claimed house rent allowance, the JD (S) leader said.
Revanna claimed that Bopaiah had been taking a monthly house rent of Rs 25,000 from August 2008. In addition, in November 2009 he had received salary for the posts of Deputy Speaker and Speaker.
“Can 224 members of the Assembly expect justice from such a person?”, Revanna asked. He said he had secured the details under the Right to Information Act. He urged the Lokayukta to register a suo motu case and hold an inquiry.
Further, Revanna urged the Governor to dismiss Bopaiah from his post of Speaker and direct the authorities concerned to register a criminal case against him.
Speaker’s clarification
A press release, issued by P Omprakash, secretary to the Speaker, said Bopaiah has been paying rent for his residence at Legislators’ Home and drawing house rent allowance through the salary bill separately.