MLAs' audio has exposed corruption in Congress govt: BJP MP Jagadish Shettar
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
26-06-2025
- India Today
JD(S) leader lauds Congress MLAs for slamming own party over corruption claims
Janata Dal (S) MLA and floor leader in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly CB Suresh Babu has written letters of appreciation to three Congress MLAs — BR Patil, Raju Kage, and Belur Gopalkrishna — commending them for publicly criticising their own government over corruption in the Housing his letter to Congress MLA BR Patil, who is also the Vice Chairman of the State Planning Commission, Suresh Babu lauded the MLA for raising his voice in the Karnataka Assembly against the Congress-led government, despite being part of the ruling party. Describing the act as a 'very significant stance', Babu said it reflected democratic values and the responsibilities of elected June 20, an audio clip allegedly featuring Congress MLA BR Patil surfaced, in which he accuses officials of the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation of large-scale corruption, including bribery in house allotments. Patil, also Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Commission, claimed his recommendations were ignored in favour of those who paid bribes. The clip, reportedly a conversation with Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan's aide Sarfaraz Khan, triggered political backlash. The letter further read, 'All of us who are elected under the democratic system are committed to fulfilling our duties for the development, progress, and overall upliftment of the people. Today, on behalf of your constituency's citizens, you have raised your voice against your own government regarding corruption in the Housing Department, even as a member of the ruling party. This is a very significant stance and is in alignment with the spirit of democracy.' advertisementSuresh Babu further added that all MLAs from the Janata Dal (Secular) 'morally support' Patil's 'pro-people fight' and said his actions 'strengthen the ideals of the Constitution and enhance its dignity'.The JD(S) leader addressed similar letters to Raju Kage and Belur Gopalkrishna, who had also spoken out on the issue. On June 23, Congress MLA Raju Kage threatened to resign over delays in implementing a Rs 25 crore development grant sanctioned two years ago for his Kagwad constituency. Kage expressed frustration over the lack of work orders and supported fellow MLA BR Patil, who alleged corruption in housing allotments. On the same day, MLC Belur Gopalkrishna demanded the resignation of Housing Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan following corruption allegations levelled by Congress MLA BR Patil. Speaking to the media, Gopalkrishna said a fair investigation was only possible if the Minister stepped down. 'A senior MLA has made serious accusations. The concerned Minister should resign and face a probe,' he call followed the leak of an audio clip in which Patil alleged bribes were taken for house allotments under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation, and that his recommendations were ignored in favour of those who paid letters have drawn attention in political circles, highlighting growing tensions within the Congress over allegations of corruption in key departments and the rare instance of ruling party legislators being acknowledged by Opposition members for dissent.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
Hans India
26-06-2025
- Hans India
Housing department under scanner amid graft charges Over 21 lakh still homeless in Karnataka
Bengaluru: Allegations of corruption within Karnataka's housing department have reignited public outrage after senior Congress MLA BR Patil recently accused officials of demanding bribes for house allotments. The charges have put the department in the spotlight, especially as delays and irregularities in implementing housing schemes for the underprivileged continue to draw criticism. Patil's remarks have sparked debate within his own party, raising questions about transparency and accountability in the housing sector. The housing department is responsible for providing affordable shelter to the economically weaker sections through various schemes such as Basava Housing, Devraj Urs Housing, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Niwas, Vajpayee Urban Housing, and the centrally sponsored Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). These programs are aimed at helping both rural and urban homeless populations to secure decent living conditions. However, delays in house allotments and allegations of bribery have cast a shadow over their effectiveness. The controversy has also intensified following the recent state Cabinet decision to increase the reservation for minorities in housing allotments from 10% to 15%. The government defended this move, stating that it was based on reports identifying the scale of homelessness, and followed Central guidelines. However, critics argue that such policy changes need more transparency and better execution on the ground. According to government data, Karnataka has an estimated 21,21,236 homeless people, as per surveys conducted in 2018 (for rural areas) and 2016–17 (for urban areas). Of this, 18,19,049 are from rural regions and 3,02,187 are from urban areas. Despite this massive need, the housing department's progress remains slow. Under various housing schemes, a total of 6,29,961 houses have been sanctioned in the state, of which 3,63,769 are currently under construction. In urban areas, 42,538 houses were sanctioned, and 37,303 are in progress. Under the 2024-25 PMAY-Gramin scheme, the central government allocated a target of 7,02,731 houses for Karnataka. However, only 1,80,571 beneficiaries—about 26%—have been identified so far, leaving a gap of 5,22,160. From 2022-23 to 2024-25, the state and central governments together sanctioned 2,41,519 houses and issued construction orders. Notably, no new housing targets have been announced for 2023-24 and 2024-25 under state schemes. In 2022-23, the state had approved 58,172 houses under various schemes. Despite growing demand, the department has failed to accelerate the pace of approvals and beneficiary to criticism, Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan said, 'We haven't allocated new houses in the last four years. I brought this to the Chief Minister's attention and requested an announcement in the budget. While he agreed, the Finance Department did not give its nod. Currently, construction is underway for around 9 lakh homes. We plan to complete these before taking up new allocations.' As over 21 lakh people continue to live without proper shelter in Karnataka, the housing department faces mounting pressure to fix its inefficiencies. With corruption allegations now coming from within the ruling party, the government's response in the coming months could prove decisive in shaping the state's housing policy and public trust in welfare governance.
India Today
24-06-2025
- India Today
Karnataka Minister denies housing board scam claims, promises to resign if guilty
Karnataka Housing Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan on Tuesday dismissed allegations of corruption linked to the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation, describing them as 'baseless' and accusing the BJP of engaging in political to a viral audio clip that purportedly features Congress MLA BR Patil alleging widespread corruption in the allotment of houses under the scheme, the Minister said that the senior legislator had not made any specific charges against him or his the allegations against me are baseless. BR Patil is a respected and senior leader. He has not said anything about me in the audio. If you hear it properly, you will see he has not blamed anyone. I was out of station and have just returned to Bengaluru. I will speak to him and understand what the issue is,' Khan said. The Minister emphasised that if there were any wrongdoing on his part, he would step down without hesitation. 'If we snatch the rights of the poor, what will our children think? If anything is proved wrong, then you need not tell me, I will resign myself. I am not a greedy man. During HD Kumaraswamy's tenure, I resigned from a post over an event. That is the kind of person I am,' he the allegations as politically motivated, Khan added, 'BJP has no other business. They are only doing politics. Patil (referring to the Housing Corporation) has not said anything about me. If there is any proof, then we can see what action can be taken.'He also spoke about the allocations made under his ministry, claiming that the current Congress government was prioritising development. 'Earlier, I did not get any grants. Now, under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, we are receiving Rs 400 crore. Every district is seeing development work. Who said we do not have money?'Sarfaraz Khan, personal assistant to the Minister, who is believed to be part of the audio clip, said there was no corruption charge against him either. 'He (Patil) is a very senior politician, and we have a personal relationship. He called me and said in Hindi that such things are happening in the department and that action must be taken. Then the audio got released,' Sarfaraz his role, he added, 'I am a private sector ministerial adviser. I only handle information and communication. What happens in the department is for inquiry. If someone has taken bribes, serious action will be taken. Last time, in one case, a person was removed within a minute. That is the kind of action we support.'advertisementSarfaraz insisted that there had been no house allotments in question and assured that any genuine complaint would be addressed. 'There is no charge of corruption because ministers are frequently checked. As a bureaucrat, I can say we will look into this.'Meanwhile, BR Patil clarified that he had not accused any Minister of wrongdoing. 'I have not taken any individual's name. I have spoken about Sarfaraz, our Housing Minister's private secretary. Have I made any allegations against the Minister?' Patil said.'I have only said it (corruption) took place in Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation. Let it be investigated.' His clarification comes amid a political storm in Karnataka, with the BJP accusing the Congress government of large-scale corruption and calling for the resignation of both Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
