From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jul 16: Taking strong exception to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s sarcastic comments on the Congress party’s unfulfilled promise to pay Rs 1 crore to the Transport Department towards transport of migrants and labourers during the Covid pandemic period, KPCC Chief DK Shivakumar asked the government to first give an account of all its expenses and the payment of compensation to the dependents of those who died due to Covid.

Speaking to media persons near his residence in Bengaluru on Saturday, he attacked the Bommai government for not paying the Rs 50,000 compensation announced by the Narendra Modi government and Rs 1 lakh each announced by Karnataka. ``Please tell the public as to why the amount has not been paid so far,’’ he asked. Shivakumar said the State Government was free to conduct any kind of inquiry on the work done by Congress party, its leaders, legislators and workers across the State.

``Let them investigate through the officers of their choice on the vegetables that were purchased by Congressmen from the farmers in distress, distribution of food packets, foodgrains and the payment of Rs 1 lakh each to the families of those who died in the Chamarajangar Oxygen incident,’’ he said and offered to give all details through the media to inform the people.

``If we have committed any fraud, let the government order a probe,’’ he said. The KPCC chief attacked the government for its failure to provide shoes and socks to school children. ``When I offered to raise the necessary funds through CSR, the government changed its tune by evening and agreed to provide. If the government is unable to provide shoes and socks to school children, why do we need such a government,’’ he asked.

Shivakumar said the State Government must be ashamed that the widow of the Belagavi contractor Santhosh Patil has written to the State Governor demanding an independent and impartial probe in the contractor’s suicide over the issue of then Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister KS Eshwarappa demanding 40% commission and non-payment of the bills.

``As many as 3 ministers have confirmed that work has been done in Belagavi district and said the government will release the funds. Why the amount is still not paid,’’ he asked and pointed out that not just the State Contractors Association and political parties but even religious swamijis have publicly alleged that 40% commission is being demanded.

``Why no investigation is being done into all these allegations? What happened to the complaint sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi,’’ he wanted to know. In the police sub-inspectors recruitment scam, the government has not done a credible investigation and the kingpin behind the scam are untouched. There are allegations that the son of a former Chief Minister and other influential persons are involved. Why all these aspects are not probed, he asked.

Shivakumar alleged that the Bommai government was trying to bury the scandal. The arrested persons, including IPS officer of ADGP rank Amrit Paul must be interrogated before a judge under Section 164. The government is free to take action if any person is found involved and arrest, he said.

He asserted that such huge PSI scam could not have taken place without the involvement of ministers, senior politicians and higher rank government officials. To a question on Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar’s statement that the 75 th birthday celebrations of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was nothing but glorification of an individual, Shivakumar said the party will organise functions that are beneficial. ``Why should BJP leaders feel jealous? Let them first throw out the dead bandicoots in their plates instead of talking about other parties,’’ he said.