JOIN USGovernor Vajubhai Vala has sent back a file pertaining to prosecution of five Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) members for their involvement in 2011 recruitment scam.
Official sources in the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) said the Governor has sought to know whether the government has enough evidence to prosecute the members and whether it will stand the legal scrutiny. However, Vala has not returned the file pertaining to suspension of the five members, the sources added.
The State Cabinet had, in its last meeting, decided to recommend to the Governor for suspension and prosecution of the five members for their involvement in the 2011 recruitment scam. But Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra said he was not aware of the Governor returning the file.
On reports that the Governor has spent Rs 4 crore on renovation of Raj Bhavan, the minister said: “I have read about lavish spending by the Governor in the media. He (Governor) is the father of the State and the constitutional head. It is not proper to comment on it.”
When the reporters insisted on his reaction, he said: “Let people know who is spending how much.”
He said the State government will initiate steps to recover the expenses incurred for conducting the trial of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha in the disproportionate assets case in Bengaluru. The Karnataka Law department alone has incurred Rs 5.11 crore expenditure on the trial. The State Home department is yet to submit its report, he added.
The Supreme Court has said that Karnataka can claim the cost of conducting the trial from Tamil Nadu government, he said. The Centre has agreed to soon send a team of officials to inspect and assess damages caused to standing crops due to hailstorms in many parts of the State. Hailstorms have extensively damaged crops. The State government has already released Rs 216 crore for providing compensation to the affected farmers, he added.
Besides, the government has decided to open paddy procurement centres at Raichur, Ballari, Shivamogga, Koppal, Davangere and Yadgir. The procurement will be done till August 31, he added.
He also said the State Cabinet recently gave its nod to set up a science gallery in Bengaluru with the assistance of Science Gallery International in Dublin, Ireland.
The Cabinet has also approved a proposal by Hutti Gold Mines Limited to generate 14 mega watt by setting up a solar photovoltaic plant, he added.