JOIN USCongress launches 'Lekka kodi' campaign
The Karnataka government should immediately release details pertaining to the spending of Rs 88,817 crore released to it by the Centre in the last five years.
The statement was made by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president G Parameshwara on Tuesday who warned that agitations will be launched by the Congress party across the State if the government fails to release the figures.
He was speaking after launching the ‘lekka kodi’ campaign, along with other leaders of the party, in front of the Bangalore deputy commissioner’s office.
He said that during the regime of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the State had received only Rs 30,000 crore.
“Despite receiving ample funds from the Centre over the last few years (United Progressive Alliance regime), the State government had failed to utilise them effectively,” he alleged.
Investigation sought
Parameshwara reiterated the KPCC’s demand to the government to order a CBI probe into irregularites in the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). He also urged the government to supercede the Palike with a more effective organisation.
“Tuesday’s agitation is part of the first phase of the ‘lekka kodi’ campaign. If the chief minister fails to release details of the expenditure, then the party will intensify its stir across the State,” he said.
Resignations demanded
Bangalore District Congress president Dinesh Gundu Rao said that City ministers including R Ashoka, Aravind Limbavali and V Somanna should resign immediately as they had failed to address the garbage problem.
He added that during the tenure of former chief minister S M Krishna, Bangalore had made much progress, but that the Bharatiya Janata Party government had dented the City’s image.
He said the government should convene a meeting of leaders from all parties, and that the Congress leaders were ready to offer their suggestions.