'Explain adverse comments on lake committee'

Legislative Assembly Speaker K B Koliwad has sought an explantation from BJP MLA Suresh Kumar on the “whispering campaign” going on about the House committee probing into encroachment of lakes.

Former law minister Kumar, last month, had stated that he was resigning from the committee following “negative comments” on the style of functioning of the panel headed by Koliwad. The panel is probing into lake encroachments in and around Bengaluru.

Koliwad told reporters in Bengaluru on Friday that he wants Kumar to be specific about what these “negative comments” are. “I have not accepted his resignation. Last week, I had told him to appear before the panel and explain what he means by ‘adverse comments’. But he did not turn up for the meeting,” Koliwad said.

In his resignation letter, Kumar had also stated that it was unethical for Koliwad to continue as the committee head even after he took charge as the Speaker in July 2016. Reacting to the comments, Koliwad said, “As soon as I took charge as Speaker, it was Suresh Kumar who requested me to continue as head of the committee. Kumar was an active member of the panel. He made it a point to attend all meetings and field visits. If he had any problems with the committee, he could have told us.”

The Speaker said the report of the committee will be tabled in the Assembly during the joint session of the state legislature scheduled to commence from February 6.
DH News Service