BJP plans memo to Guv against Bhatt as KPSC chief

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar said on Wednesday that the BJP was planning to submit a memorandum to Governor Vajubhai Vala, opposing the government’s act of recommending BDA Commissioner T Sham Bhatt’s name for the post of Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) chairman.

A decision in this regard would be taken in a couple of days. He told mediapersons that the Congress government headed by Siddaramaiah needed corrupt people to collect money and therefore, attempts were being made to appoint Bhatt as the KPSC chief.

There are several plaints against Bhatt and the Kempanna Commission is conducting a probe into the Arkavathy scam, in which he is said to be involved. The issue would be raised in the Assembly also. The government should withdraw its recommendation to the governor to appoint Bhatt, Shettar said. “The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) was formed to close cases against the chief minister and some ministers, but it still lacks guidelines to file FIR, though around 100 plaints were lodged. I think the ACB will be scrapped after the government gets Justice S R Nayak appointed as the Lokayukta,” he said. The government was protecting the corrupt and discouraging honest officials, he said.