Congress MLA hits out at K'taka govt over 'graft in house allotments'

Kalaburagi: Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman and Aland Congress MLA B R Patil has expressed displeasure against his party government in the state, alleging that the houses under Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Limited were being allotted to those who paid bribes. 

In the purported telephonic conversation, the Congress leader has expressed his dissatisfaction with the Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan’s personal secretary Sarfaraz Khan in this regard. Patil is believed to have shared a detailed list of the houses that were sanctioned after collecting bribes. 

Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan maintained that the persons who have received the bribe will be sent to jail if the details are provided to him. Patil complained that a total of 950 houses, including 200 houses in Munnalli village of Aland assembly constituency, 100 in Darga Shiroor, 200 in Dhangapura, 200 in Kavalaga, 200 in Madiyal villages were allotted to the ineligible after taking bribes. Houses have also been allotted after taking money in the neighbouring Afzalpur assembly constituency, he charged in the conversation. 

Patil also argued that the recommendation letters he had given were not considered in allotment of the houses, instead the list provided by a Gram Panchayat president was approved. “Is the letter given by the MLA worthless,” he questioned.

At this juncture, sources said, Sarfaraz Khan tried to placate the angry Congress leader and promised to consider the list recommended by him. 

When contacted, B R Patil refused to respond to the details of audio conversation between him and Sarfaraz Khan.