'Rs 42-cr Nagarotthana funds siphoned off'

Former BBMP corporator and BJP leader N R Ramesh has alleged that a fake bill scam to the tune of Rs 42 crore has taken place in Byatarayanapura Assembly constituency, which is represented by Minister for Agriculture Krishna Byre Gowda.

Ramesh, in a press meet, said that from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2015, Rs 752.66 crore was released for the development works. This includes Rs 386.12 crore for ward-level works.

“With so much in five years, the entire constituency would have been converted into a paradise of sorts. But tragically, this is the fourth worst constituency in the City,” he said.

The BJP leader said under the Chief Minister's Nagarotthana scheme, works worth Rs 42 crore were sanctioned. However, none of these works were carried out. He said the work was entrusted to the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited, but its officers sublet the work to others. The entire Rs 42 crore was squandered, said Ramesh.

He demanded a thorough probe into the misuse of funds.