Bangalore: Katti Denies Fraud Charges, Offers to Quit if Found Guilty

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Jul 14: Denying the charges he and his department officials were involved in a Rs 100 crore scam for siphoning off funds meant for purchase of mechanised farm equipment meant for supplying to farmers at subsidised prices, Karnataka’s Agriculture Minister Umesh V Katti on Thursday announced that he would quit if the charges were proved.

''If I am found guilty, I will not continue in office even for a day,” he said addressing media and asserted that the allegations published in a section of the media were ''totally baseless and unfounded.”

Declaring that he had never misused office or his position during his entire political career, Katti said: ''I am ready to face any kind of probe and prove my innocence.”

The minister said he would take up the issue with the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and request him to order a probe immediately.

The Government has set aside Rs 100 crore providing 50 per cent subsidy for farmers for purchasing equipment such as tractor, tiller, paddy harvesting machine, sugarcane harvesting machine. The government gives priority to backward taluks in the distribution of farm equipment.

Katti said a four-member committee headed by the Vice-Chancellor of Agricultural University has shortlisted 52 equipment to place orders. The department has invited tenders from companies to purchase equipment. The last date for filing tenders is July 27.

It was alleged that the companies have inflated the prices of equipment to pay “5 % commission to the Minister.”

Katti denied the charge and said he would take legal action against companies if they were found indulging in any illegal practices of quoting higher prices.

The department would directly give cheques to farmers to check to prevent misuse of the subsidy. The department has been issuing cheques for farmers for implementing drip irrigation system, he claimed.

The minister said the Watershed Development Department would be merged with the Agriculture Department at the district and taluk levels for better co-oridnation

Nearly 73 % of the agriculture department officials have been deputed to the Watershed Development department, he said.