From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Aug 26: Large and Medium Industries minister M B Patil on Monday clarified that the Siddhartha Vihara Education Trust, headed by AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge's son, Rahul Kharge, was allotted a CA plot at Aerospace Park at a prescribed price.
“There is nothing illegal in the allotment of site, which was strictly in in accordance with KIADB (Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board) norms,” he said speaking media persons in Bengaluru on Monday.
The minister dismissed allegations made by BJP leader Lehar Singh and asserted that no rules were violated in the process.
"Rahul Kharge is an IIT graduate who has expressed his intention to establish an R&D center on the allotted land. His family has a longstanding involvement in various educational activities,” he explained.
Patil said under KIADB norms, CA plots can be used for setting up R&D centers, centers of excellence, technical institutes, skill development centers, government offices, banks, hospitals, hotels, petrol stations, canteens, and residential facilities.
“Any interested and eligible can apply for it and allotments will be made after recommendations from the State-level Single Window Committee," Patil explained.
He also made it clear that "In this case, Rahul Kharge has not been allotted an industrial plot at Aerospace Park but a CA plot for establishing an R&D center at a prescribed price, with no discounts given."
Patil also took the opportunity to criticise the previous BJP government, highlighting that it had allotted 116 acres of land to Chanakya University in an industrial area for a mere Rs 50 crore, resulting in a Rs 137 crore loss to the state exchequer.
"It would be good if Lehar Singh raises concerns about this issue as well," Patil rebutted.
The minister emphasised that since he took office, a more transparent system has been implemented, where CA plots are allotted only after state-level Single Window Committee approval.
"Additionally, for the first time, we have introduced a 24.10% reservation for Scheduled Castes in the allotment of CA plots," Patil noted.
He advised Lehar Singh to consider these facts before making baseless allegations.