Houses to illegal settlers: Union Minister Somanna slams Siddaramaiah government

New Delhi: Slamming the Karnataka government for its decision to provide houses to illegal settlers, Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna on Wednesday said the Siddaramaiah-led government is setting a dangerous precedent In the state.

"After clearly stating that we have cleared houses on encroached land, what is the ulterior motive behind promising to build new houses for the 'affected' by the New Year?" Somanna told the media persons here.

"If those who illegally built layouts are being called victims, then what will be the Congress government's decision on providing houses to the countless homeless people, nomadic labourers, and working-class individuals in North Karnataka who are still struggling without shelter? What moral right does Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have to brand the officers—who demolished the houses only after serving proper notices—as 'guilty' and declare strict action against them?" he asked.

"Instead of focusing on the development of Kannadigas, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is dancing to the tune of the high command and has decided to allot houses to non-Kannadigas. This is nothing but an injustice to the people of the state," Somanna said.

Criticising the state government for not releasing its share in the Jal Jeevan Mission—a centrally sponsored scheme to provide tap water to rural households—Somanna said that, “ Despite repeated requests from the Jal Shakti Ministry, the state government is not cooperating.”

Somanna, who is also the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, said that the Jal Shakti Ministry has sought detailed documents from the state in connection with the Upper Bhadra Project.

However, the state is not willing to share them. If the state is ready to provide the documents to the Jal Shakti Ministry, it can take steps to release funds, he said.