<p>Bengaluru: A raid by the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/income-tax-department">Income Tax (I-T) department</a> is currently underway in multiple premises linked to Karnataka Energy Minister<a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/k-j-george"> K J George</a> and his aides over the tender process related to smart meters, sources said.</p><p>Multiple sources aware of the development confirmed to DH that among the places raided was an office linked to K J George in Bengaluru. The raids have been underway for the last three days, sources said.</p><p>The I-T department sleuths also raided premises linked to a prominent businessman, said to be George’s aide. Reports claimed that this businessman had ties to the Embassy group, but the sources refused to confirm.</p>.Karnataka Lokayukta raids 5 government officers; 2nd operation in a week.<p>Apart from the minister and his aides, at least eight contractors of BESCOM were also being searched by the I-T department, the sources said. The I-T department is essentially looking at possible illegal gratification through the awarding of contracts for smart meters procurement and implementation. The I-T department is yet to release an official statement on whether the raids were linked to the minister.</p><p>For the past few months, the BJP and JD(S) have been vocal about the issue and have alleged that a scam to the tune of Rs 15,568 crore had taken place in the procurement of meters.</p><p>They accused the Congress government in Karnataka of favouring certain contractors and alleged major irregularities in the tender process for the procurement of the smart electricity meters. They have also insisted on the resignation of George and claimed that this was yet another blackmark on the government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.</p>.Smart meters must for new, temporary power connections in rural areas under Bescom.<p>The <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/procurement-of-smart-meters-a-rs-15k-crore-scam-say-bjp-jd-s-3462704">BJP has also filed a complain</a>t with the Karnataka Lokayukta. George previously denied the allegations but has yet to publicly react to the ongoing IT raids.</p><p>Earlier in the month, the special court for elected representatives in Bengaluru directed the enforcement agencies to register a private complaint report (PCR) against George and others. This was after a complaint was filed by BJP functionaries, including Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, who had been vocal about the alleged irregularities before the court.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: A raid by the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/income-tax-department">Income Tax (I-T) department</a> is currently underway in multiple premises linked to Karnataka Energy Minister<a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/k-j-george"> K J George</a> and his aides over the tender process related to smart meters, sources said.</p><p>Multiple sources aware of the development confirmed to DH that among the places raided was an office linked to K J George in Bengaluru. The raids have been underway for the last three days, sources said.</p><p>The I-T department sleuths also raided premises linked to a prominent businessman, said to be George’s aide. Reports claimed that this businessman had ties to the Embassy group, but the sources refused to confirm.</p>.Karnataka Lokayukta raids 5 government officers; 2nd operation in a week.<p>Apart from the minister and his aides, at least eight contractors of BESCOM were also being searched by the I-T department, the sources said. The I-T department is essentially looking at possible illegal gratification through the awarding of contracts for smart meters procurement and implementation. The I-T department is yet to release an official statement on whether the raids were linked to the minister.</p><p>For the past few months, the BJP and JD(S) have been vocal about the issue and have alleged that a scam to the tune of Rs 15,568 crore had taken place in the procurement of meters.</p><p>They accused the Congress government in Karnataka of favouring certain contractors and alleged major irregularities in the tender process for the procurement of the smart electricity meters. They have also insisted on the resignation of George and claimed that this was yet another blackmark on the government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.</p>.Smart meters must for new, temporary power connections in rural areas under Bescom.<p>The <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/procurement-of-smart-meters-a-rs-15k-crore-scam-say-bjp-jd-s-3462704">BJP has also filed a complain</a>t with the Karnataka Lokayukta. George previously denied the allegations but has yet to publicly react to the ongoing IT raids.</p><p>Earlier in the month, the special court for elected representatives in Bengaluru directed the enforcement agencies to register a private complaint report (PCR) against George and others. This was after a complaint was filed by BJP functionaries, including Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, who had been vocal about the alleged irregularities before the court.</p>
