Silvester D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (DV)
Kundapur, Oct 12: “Varahi project has remained unscientific for the last 33 years and is in the favor of contractors. The project has destroyed hundreds of acres of land including forest land. It has also been detrimental for the environment. Since this project is not beneficial for famers it is better to discard it,” said advocate K C Shetty.
He was speaking at a press meet held on Friday October 11.
“I protest against the unfair practices followed in the project as per the information obtained through the RTI. The project requires a thorough probe. The scam is not less than the fodder scam in Bihar, and mining scam in Bellary, Belekere. It should be probed by the government investigation agencies. I have filed a writ in the Karnataka High Court in 2012. Though the contractors tried to bribe me, I did not take the writ back. However the writ was dismissed by the court. I don’t have any personal or political intention but I had filed the writ in public interest. I have also filed the SFR in Supreme Court. The matter should be probed. I have also written to chief minister Siddaramaiah. The probe needs to be done in the government level. I have undertaken to reimburse the expenses of the probe by collecting money from the public if everything is found to be correct,” he said.
“The project started in November 10, 1980. Initially the estimated project cost was Rs 9.43 lac. But Rs 386.29 lac was spent till March 31, 2011. Though the project was not completed on time, the amount fined was Rs 100, 50, 20, 10 which is really ridiculous. The local representatives never uttered a word regarding this scam. The selected representatives were also part of the scam. All officers and contractors involved in this project are not corrupt. Truth will prevail only after the completion of the probe. Culprits should be punished. Government money is unnecessarily wasted. To obtain proper information, I have spent Rs 2 lac. The ill deeds should be exposed,” he added.
“We will be continuing our legal struggle in the coming days. There is no personal intention in this case but it is being pursued in public interest,” he said.
Shiriyara Gopala Krishna Shetty, advocate Sadhanada Shetty, Umesh Shetty Shankattu among others were present.