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India Today
30-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Karnataka Minister raps own government over unfulfilled promise to farmers
Karnataka Excise Minister RB Thimmapur, who also holds charge of Bagalkot district, has hit out at his own government over the prolonged delay in resettlement and rehabilitation (R&R) of farmers affected by the Almatti dam under the Upper Krishna Project (UKP) at a meeting with farmers and activists in Mudhol, Thimmapur expressed concern over the government's inefficiency in implementing R&R works. He pointed out that no progress had been made for over six months despite repeated assurances to remarks come amid growing dissent within the Congress, with several party MLAs already raising concerns over slow-paced development and allegations of corruption in the incumbent Congress government. In December 2024, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar assured farmer groups in Belagavi that the rehabilitation works would begin within six months. However, Thimmapur's comments indicate that little progress has been made since last week, another Congress leader, Kagwad MLA Raju Kage, threatened to resign over similar issues. Speaking in Ainapur, Belagavi district, Kage said that not a single work order had been issued despite the Chief Minister approving a Rs 25 crore special grant two years funds were meant for road development and the construction of 72 community halls in his constituency. Kage blamed the state administration for the prolonged delays, questioning why it takes two years just to begin the work.- EndsTune InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
Hans India
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Siddaramaiah to speak to sore Cong MLAs, fix issues: Parameshwara
Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday expressed confidence that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would likely speak to disgruntled ruling Congress MLAs and resolve their issues, amid recent comments by some party legislators alleging "bribery and administrative collapse" that have caused embarrassment to the government. Congress MLA from Kagwad, Raju Kage, has hinted at resigning, citing delays in developmental works and the release of funds, while alleging that the administration has "completely collapsed". Additionally, Aland Congress MLA B R Patil recently alleged bribery in public housing allotments, while Sagar Congress MLA Belur Gopalakrishna demanded the resignation of Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan over the allegations. "They (MLAs) have raised issues concerning their constituencies, but have they raised state-level issues? They have spoken about constituency-related problems and sought the timely release of funds for development work in their segments. The Chief Minister will resolve these matters," Parameshwara said in response to a question on whether internal issues were affecting the government. Speaking to reporters here, he said, "All MLAs have already been instructed to prepare an action plan for development works worth Rs 50 crore in their |constituencies. The CM has himself assured that funds will also be provided to opposition MLAs. All MLAs, including me, are preparing an action plan for our constituencies. Can we do it without funds?" When asked whether the Congress high command had instructed the CM to speak to disgruntled legislators, Parameshwara said, "The Chief Minister is in Delhi and has met the party leadership. I am not aware of what transpired at the meeting or whether such instructions have been given. If the CM is asked to speak to MLAs, he will do so." When it was pointed out that the inaccessibility of ministers was a major concern for several MLAs, including Kage, he said, "Maybe personally he (Kage) might have faced it. I cannot deny it, as he has said so. The CM will sort it out." He added that an opportunity was given to legislators at a recent Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting to raise such concerns, during which some MLAs requested that instructions be issued to ministers to meet legislators.
India Gazette
24-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Make rule to push files in time: Congress' Raju Kage flags delays in administrative works
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 24 (ANI): Congress MLA Raju Kage on Tuesday flagged the issue of delays in administrative works, which are supposed to be carried out by the government officials employed in different departments, and suggested that the Karnataka government must make a rule pushing for development works to be carried out in time. He alleged that the state government has no control over the government officials, who 'don't work or go in the field.' Kage complained that the ministers also remain unavailable, reducing the possibility of discussing public works. 'In many departments, files for work don't move. The ministers are not available on the phone. The government should make a rule that no file should remain with any department for more than a stipulated time... The government has no control over the officials. They (govt officials) don't work or go on the field,' Kage, Congress MLA from Kagwad assembly constituency, told ANI. Citing a personal example, the senior leader pointed to a road construction project in his constituency for which he laid the foundation stone over a year ago. Despite the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah having allocated funds for the road construction works, the project remains stalled due to procedural delays. 'I am not blaming anyone for what I said yesterday. A year ago, I had laid the foundation of a road to be built in a village. I asked the contractor why no work on road construction had been done in one year. The CM had released funds of Rs 25 crore, out of which Rs 12 crore were allocated for the road works. However, they created problems (concerning releasing the funds)...even after CM asked to clear it,' the senior Congress leader said. He further expressed his disappointment that Siddaramaiah had not contacted him to address the issues of administrative delays, among others, and said that this is why he had offered to resign. 'The CM has not spoken to me, and hence, I am upset. I offered to resign, but my constituency people disagree with has been going on for the last two years,' Kage added. Earlier, Kage complained of a lack of funds hindering the development works and backed the allegations raised by Congress MLA BR Patil regarding alleged irregularities in housing allotment under the Rajiv Gandhi housing scheme. Kage had said that it 'wouldn't be surprising' if he resigns within 2 days. A phone conversation that went viral on social media, purportedly between BR Patil and Sarfaraz Khan, the personal assistant (PA) to Karnataka Housing and Minority Welfare Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, has brought the Congress government under fire due to allegations of irregularities in the housing allotment. Meanwhile, Zameer Ahmed Khan dismissed any allegations of corruption in his department today, calling for Patil and Kage to reveal the names of officials taking bribes and announcing that he would resign as the minister if corruption charges were true. 'If at all I'm involved or anywhere my name comes in investigation, I'm ready to resign, and I'll leave. I'm not sticking to my seat. I'll resign if my name comes in the investigation,' Khan said during a press conference here. (ANI)
Hans India
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Cong MLA alleges collapse of administrative machinery in state
Belagavi: In a striking display of dissent from within the ruling party, senior Congress MLA Raju Kage has publicly lashed out at the Siddaramaiah-led government, accusing it of administrative collapse and expressing his readiness to resign within two days, citing complete dysfunction in the system. Speaking to reporters at Ainapur village in Kagawad taluk, the veteran legislator minced no words as he backed fellow Congress MLA B.R. Patil, whose viral audio alleging widespread corruption in the Housing Department recently stirred political waters. 'The statements made by B.R. Patil are not false. I stand in full support of what he said. His frustration is genuine. I feel the same,' Kage affirmed. Kage revealed that he had been allotted ₹25 crore under the Chief Minister's Special Grant, of which ₹12 crore was sanctioned for road works, but work orders for the remaining ₹13 crore have not been issued. Additionally, he said, 72 community hall projects in his constituency still await administrative approval, despite being proposed over two years ago. 'There's no point even asking the officials. The system is so broken that no one listens, and nothing moves. Even after laying the foundation stones for several projects two years ago, there has been zero progress. Local engineers aren't doing any work, contractors are failing to meet obligations, and officials are not enforcing tenders,' he lamented. Raju Kage painted a grim picture of bureaucratic apathy, saying contractors who were awarded tenders are being allowed to skip obligations, and engineers are ignoring assigned duties.'This is not governance. The system has completely deteriorated. People are questioning the MLAs, and we are left helpless. I'm deeply hurt. It won't be surprising if I tender my resignation in the next two days,' he warned. This public outburst not only highlights cracks within the Congress but also lends weight to the growing chorus of allegations against the state government for mismanagement and inaction. Kage's claims add further pressure on the ruling party, already under scrutiny after B.R. Patil accused officials of allotting housing to those who paid bribes, bypassing legitimate recommendations by elected representatives. His remarks follow mounting frustration among MLAs over lack of autonomy, delay in approvals, and bureaucratic roadblocks, despite repeated promises by the leadership of efficient governance. The implications of Kage's statement are significant, especially as the Congress prepares to face heightened opposition criticism and internal unrest. Meanwhile, BJP leaders, including former CM and MP Jagadish Shettar, have seized on the issue, backing both Kage and Patil's allegations and calling for Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar's resignation on moral grounds. 'When ruling party MLAs are openly expressing dissatisfaction, it proves that the system has collapsed under Congress rule,' Shettar said, hinting that many disgruntled Congress MLAs are in touch with the BJP and may switch sides if the government fails to course-correct. As discontent brews and the party leadership remains silent, the Congress government in Karnataka now faces not only external attacks but internal tremors that could escalate into a full-blown political crisis if corrective measures are not taken swiftly.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Karnataka Congress MLA slams govt, threatens to quit
BELAGAVI: In a fresh blow to Karnataka's Congress govt, which is battling dissent, senior Karnataka MLA Raju Kage accused govt on Monday of administrative collapse and threatened to resign over stalled development works in his constituency in Belagavi district. Kage claimed his ordeal was more severe than that of fellow Congress legislator BR Patil, who recently alleged houses under govt schemes were allotted against bribes and that MLAs had been kept away from decision-making. "I might resign from the party in the next two days after meeting CM Siddaramaiah," said Kage, who represents Kagwad. "Special grants have been released to my constituency. Even after the allocation of Rs 25 crore for development works two years ago, not a single work order has been issued. People of my constituency are cursing me." BJP seized on Patil's and Kage's statements as "proof" of administrative failure and rampant corruption in the state govt. Kage, who heads North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation, told reporters in Ainapur, near Athani in the district, that the system was dysfunctional, with no officer functioning. "What does it mean if work orders are not issued even after the release of funds," he added.
