Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jan 5: A public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the state high court on Thursday January 4, questioning the 'Sadhana Samaveshas' under the leadership of chief minister (CM), Siddaramaiah. Although these conventions are backed by the aim of conveying information to people about the achievements of the government, many a time they acquire the form of political meetings.

The petition has been listed to be taken up for consideration by a division bench comprising acting chief justice, HG Ramesh, and Justice P S Dinesh Kumar, on Friday January 5.

A law student, Keertivardhan Joshi, has filed this petition. He has named the CM, chief secretary of the state, principal secretary in finance department and comptroller and auditor general as defendants.

"In the name of such conventions, power is being misused and taxpayers money is being squandered. The CM, in his addresses, mostly heaps criticism on the opposition rather than providing information abut achievements of the government," the litigant has stated. He felt that this amounts to misuse of power in the name of convention and draining of taxpayers money. He has argued that spending government's revenue which comes by way of taxes for propagating personal and political agenda is something that is inexcusable.

"In the name of integrated development of the state, the CM is touring only the constituencies represented by legislators from ruling party. Using people's money for political purposes is illegal and wrong. Therefore, till the petition is decided, the finance department should not spend money for future Sadhana Samaveshas. The comptroller and auditor general should conduct investigation against the CM, chief secretary, and principal secretary in finance department," the petitioner has demanded.