<p>Tumakuru: Karnataka Rashtra Samiti (KRS) State president Ravi Krishna Reddy, on Wednesday, levelled serious allegations against Tumakuru Deputy Commissioner Shubha Kalyan, accusing her of facilitating illegal land conversions by sharing her official login credentials and approving digital signatures.</p><p>Speaking at a press conference, Reddy claimed, “This is not merely a case of misused signatures by lower officials. The Deputy Commissioner herself provided her login ID and authorised the conversions. This is a blatant abuse of power. She must be immediately suspended and relieved of her duties pending a judicial inquiry.”</p><p>He further alleged that Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda had admitted to irregularities in the matter but had taken no corrective action.</p><p>“The minister appears restricted to Bengaluru and Byatarayanapura, while in Tumakuru, Home Minister G Parameshwara controls the reins. Officials operate under his shield. Parameshwara is an incompetent and incapable minister. Despite being in politics for four decades, he has failed to secure even a single government medical college for the district,” Reddy charged.</p><p><strong>Public meeting in Ballari</strong></p><p>Highlighting issues in mining-affected regions, Reddy said that the KRS would organise a mega public meeting on August 16 in Ballari. The event aims to raise awareness about the misuse of funds earmarked for the rehabilitation of mining-affected areas by the Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation (KMEPRC). Participants from Tumakuru, Chitradurga, Ballari, and Vijayanagara districts are expected to attend the event.</p><p>He stressed the need for a decentralised system where local communities and leaders can directly propose development projects suited to their needs. </p><p><strong>‘Semi-Malnad in danger’</strong></p><p>KRS State Secretary Mallikarjun Bhattarahalli raised concerns over the environmental impact of mining activities in Sarangapani, located in Chikkanayakanahalli taluk.</p><p>“The semi-Malnad region is being systematically destroyed. On one hand, the government claims it is restoring the environment, but on the other, it continues to grant fresh mining approvals. This double standard must stop,” he said.</p><p>Bhattarahalli also informed that KRS and allied groups would conduct field visits to mining-affected areas as part of their Restoration Movement for Mining-Affected Regions.</p><p>“There is no visible restoration work on the ground. Corruption is widespread, and the administrative machinery is failing. The ground reality needs to be reviewed so that action can be taken for environmental restoration in mining-hit areas,” he added.</p><p><strong>Ministers to face symbolic protest</strong></p><p>KRS state vice-president Gnana Sindhu Swamy said KRS would soon organise symbolic ‘civil felicitation’ protests targeting District In-Charge Minister G Parameshwara and Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda for their inaction despite clear evidence of irregularities.</p><p>“Even after the deputy commissioner admitted to violations in land allotments, no action has been taken. The administration is clearly siding with powerful interests. Hills, rivers, and public lands are being handed over to private entities, depriving communities of their rightful resources,” Gnana Sindhu Swamy said.</p><p>KRS Tumakuru District President Srinivasamurthy, office-bearers C N Deepak, Ranganath, Narasimharaju, noted thinker C Yathiraju, and environmentalist B V Gundappa were present at the press meet.</p>
<p>Tumakuru: Karnataka Rashtra Samiti (KRS) State president Ravi Krishna Reddy, on Wednesday, levelled serious allegations against Tumakuru Deputy Commissioner Shubha Kalyan, accusing her of facilitating illegal land conversions by sharing her official login credentials and approving digital signatures.</p><p>Speaking at a press conference, Reddy claimed, “This is not merely a case of misused signatures by lower officials. The Deputy Commissioner herself provided her login ID and authorised the conversions. This is a blatant abuse of power. She must be immediately suspended and relieved of her duties pending a judicial inquiry.”</p><p>He further alleged that Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda had admitted to irregularities in the matter but had taken no corrective action.</p><p>“The minister appears restricted to Bengaluru and Byatarayanapura, while in Tumakuru, Home Minister G Parameshwara controls the reins. Officials operate under his shield. Parameshwara is an incompetent and incapable minister. Despite being in politics for four decades, he has failed to secure even a single government medical college for the district,” Reddy charged.</p><p><strong>Public meeting in Ballari</strong></p><p>Highlighting issues in mining-affected regions, Reddy said that the KRS would organise a mega public meeting on August 16 in Ballari. The event aims to raise awareness about the misuse of funds earmarked for the rehabilitation of mining-affected areas by the Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation (KMEPRC). Participants from Tumakuru, Chitradurga, Ballari, and Vijayanagara districts are expected to attend the event.</p><p>He stressed the need for a decentralised system where local communities and leaders can directly propose development projects suited to their needs. </p><p><strong>‘Semi-Malnad in danger’</strong></p><p>KRS State Secretary Mallikarjun Bhattarahalli raised concerns over the environmental impact of mining activities in Sarangapani, located in Chikkanayakanahalli taluk.</p><p>“The semi-Malnad region is being systematically destroyed. On one hand, the government claims it is restoring the environment, but on the other, it continues to grant fresh mining approvals. This double standard must stop,” he said.</p><p>Bhattarahalli also informed that KRS and allied groups would conduct field visits to mining-affected areas as part of their Restoration Movement for Mining-Affected Regions.</p><p>“There is no visible restoration work on the ground. Corruption is widespread, and the administrative machinery is failing. The ground reality needs to be reviewed so that action can be taken for environmental restoration in mining-hit areas,” he added.</p><p><strong>Ministers to face symbolic protest</strong></p><p>KRS state vice-president Gnana Sindhu Swamy said KRS would soon organise symbolic ‘civil felicitation’ protests targeting District In-Charge Minister G Parameshwara and Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda for their inaction despite clear evidence of irregularities.</p><p>“Even after the deputy commissioner admitted to violations in land allotments, no action has been taken. The administration is clearly siding with powerful interests. Hills, rivers, and public lands are being handed over to private entities, depriving communities of their rightful resources,” Gnana Sindhu Swamy said.</p><p>KRS Tumakuru District President Srinivasamurthy, office-bearers C N Deepak, Ranganath, Narasimharaju, noted thinker C Yathiraju, and environmentalist B V Gundappa were present at the press meet.</p>
