The BPL card issue will be probed by Karnataka Lokayukta, while the coal purchase ‘scam’ will be investigated by a retired High Court judge. Besides, the CM also did some tough talking against corruption and bringing in efficiency in the administration. He said an amendment will be brought to the Karnataka Civil Service Rules (KCSR) making a provision to send corrupt officials, including IAS and IPS officers, on compulsory retirement.

Constitutional amendment

 Official sources said that Article 311 of the Constitution has to be amended to empower a government for dismissing or sending any public servant on compulsory retirement.
“The CM has meant to say he is in favour of amending the Article 311, as the Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily has proposed. What the CM has stated can be implemented only after the Constitutional amendment,” sources pointed out. Also, according to the rule book, the State cannot take action against IAS and IPS officers on its own, as they come under Central service. Hence, it can only recommend action against them to the Centre.
Yeddyurappa was in fact replying on a debate on rural development. But he veered away to scams, communal violence and issues pertaining to administrative reforms, apparently to put a spoke in the Opposition’s plans to corner the government on alleged irregularities in administration. JD(S) floor leader H D Revanna wanted to move an adjournment motion over the coal purchase ‘scam’ after the BJP government came to power, later in the day.

Exorbitant rates

The CM alleged that the State had incurred a loss of Rs 3,500 crore in washing coal and Rs 160 crore in transporting coal from Orissa to Raichur in between 2002 and 2007. The then government had awarded the contract to supply coal to the State at an exorbitant rate. But the present government, soon after coming to power, re-tendered it and saved up to Rs 68 crore, he claimed.

Similarly, the then government had awarded contract for coal washing at Rs 500 crore per year to three companies. “The contract was renewed to the same firms for years. This was also at an exorbitant rate, and resulted in an additional burden of Rs 3,500 crore to the exchequer,” he stated. This apart, the CM said that the then government decided to transport coal from Orissa to Raichur via Paradip port and Chennai during the same period.

This was done though other alternative and short routes were available. As a result of this decision, the State incurred an additional burden of Rs 160 crore, he pointed out, and claimed that there is no irregularity in coal purchase during the rule of the present government.

He said his government will book criminal cases against those possessing bogus BPL cards. “We will not tolerate misuse of any scheme meant for the poor. We will ensure not a single BPL family is deprived of the benefit,” he stated.

Communal violence

Stating that communal riots have become a menace in the State, Yeddyurappa said that stringent action will be taken against those inciting communal violence and Deputy Commissioners and Superintendent of Police will directly be held responsible for such incidents. He also said it is suspected that some political and religious organisations are fomenting violence in the State.

Like wise, Yeddyurappa touched upon issues like alleged irregularities in the programme to promote organic farming, land encroachment in Bangalore, BMIC project and NREGS implementation.

DH News Service

CM’s largesse to rural sector

* Re 1 subsidy per unit of power for managing cold storages efficiently in agri sector
*Govt to bear 50% of crop insurance premium to be paid by small & marginal farmers; to simplify insurance scheme; to make weather-based assessment
* Assistance of Re 1/kg for growing bio-fuel plants
* Five lakh farmers to be covered under organic farming in four years; emphasis on bringing in more SC/STs
*More grants for universities to develop more crop variety
* A horticulture export zone to come up near BIA
* Encroachment of Amruthmahal Kaval (land) to be cleared in Chikmagalur; A new veterinary varsity to be established
* Financial aid to be revived for poultry farming; 25% grant for new poultries
* Funds for Nirmal Grama scheme to be raised to Rs 3,000 cr from Rs 2,500 cr
* To extend Suvarna Arogya Suraksha scheme across the State from next year; Arogya Kavacha (108) to cover all taluks in next 1 year
* Rs 10,000 assistance to rural girl students who join nursing courses; but it is not applicable to Bangalore nursing colleges
*Weavers to get loan at 3% interest rate; daily wages to be fixed for weavers
* More funds to be given for irrigation schemes; command area & tank developments
* To provide broad band facility to rural areas to help BPOs
* Ombudsman to be appointed to ensure good quality work by local bodies