From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Aug 20: The Janata Dal (S) on Friday August 20 demanded a probe by the Lokayukta into beggars’ deaths at the Beggars’ Rehabilitation Centre on the Magadi Road in the city.

Former minister and JD(S) Legislature party leader H D Revanna has blamed the state government for beggars’ deaths and said unhygienic atmosphere at the centre and supply of inadequate food were the major reasons for the deaths.

Revanna also demanded the resignation of the social welfare minster D Sudhakar.

The B S Yeddyurappa-led BJP government was more bothered about tackling internal problems within the party rather than implementing policies and programmes meant for the welfare of the poor, he said.

Revanna alleged that the government had misused the funds sanctioned for the Beggars’ Rehabilitation Centre and demanded that the government should order the Lokayukta to conduct the probe to unearth reasons and persons responsible for the deaths.

The JD (S) had raised the issue of beggars’ rehabilitation centres in the state during the last session of the state legislature. But there was no response from the government, which clearly indicated careless attitude of the social welfare department, he said.

However, Sudhakar said that the question of tendering resignation does not arise and pointed out that a committee headed by social welfare commissioner Manjunath Prasad has already been asked to probe into beggars’ deaths.