Ruckus in Karnataka Assembly over ‘taxpayers’ money for guarantee panel heads

Bengaluru: The Legislative Assembly witnessed a pandemonium on Tuesday with the Opposition parties slamming the government using taxpayers’ money for paying Congress workers heading the committees to oversee guarantee schemes.

The Opposition took the government to task for “wasting” taxpayers’ money and the proceedings were washed out for the entire day even as the government said the issue would be discussed in the Cabinet. 

Home Minister G Parameshwara told the Opposition that the government would take a call soon. “We’ve heard all the opinions. We will take this to the Cabinet and make a final decision. We may discuss this in Thursday’s Cabinet meeting,” he added.

It all began with a starred question by M T Krishnappa, the JD(S) MLA from Turuvekere, who sought details on the remuneration of district and taluk-level presidents and members of the guarantee implementation committees.

As per the government’s response, the district-level presidents got a monthly remuneration of Rs 40,000, while it was Rs 25,000 for the taluk-level presidents Committee members get honorariums for each meeting.

Taking exception to this arrangement, Krishnappa said: “You cannot give funds from the state exchequer. This is against the law.”

Other opposition MLAs soon joined him and sought the disbanding of the committees. They clarified that they weren’t opposing the guarantees but wanted MLAs to be in charge.

Lashing out at the Congress, Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka said: After D K Shivakumar became the (Congress) president, there is no difference between the party and the government. Let them beg for alms and give that money. Why are they giving taxpayers’ money?”

Shivakumar responded saying: “It’s the will of the government. Party workers have brought the Congress to power and we have the right to give them facilities and positions through the government’s programmes.”

With the differences continuing, Speaker U T Khader adjourned the House and held discussions with the ruling party and opposition leaders.

When the session resumed, Ashoka said: “The MLA is supreme in a taluk. We are elected and not nominated. We are fit and are not slaves to work under those whom they (Congress) nominate.”

When Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge argued that the BJP had appointed RSS members as personal assistants of ministers in Maharashtra, angered opposition MLAs rushed to the well of the House and shouted slogans against the Congress government.

The session was adjourned again and the Question Hour and the calling of attention motion continued amid the din.

The BJP will stage a protest on this issue in front of the Kengal Hanumanthaiah statue in the Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday and also continue the protest inside the Assembly. The BJP may approach the Governor later.