MANGALORE: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president G Parameshwar on Monday challenged the BJP government to come out with a white paper on the state’s financial status. Parameshwar while talking to reporters at Shanti Kiran in Bajjodi, accused the state government of having failed to utilise Rs 64,000 crore earmarked in the budget. This was also revealed in the recent review meeting, where it was found that as many as 18 districts had not spent the money released by the government, he added.
“Thus the administration has collapsed and we want to know whether the principal secretary or chief executive officer will be held accountable,” the KPCC chief said and added that the state had also failed to utilise money under different Central-sponsored schemes. He also chided the state government for not securing additional grants by submitting utilisation certificate.
‘GIM: Real estate racket’
There is unlimited amount under the MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme). But additional money is released only on submission of utilisation certificate, which the state has not done so far, he charged. He lashed out at the government for grabbing fertile agricultural land and described Global Investors meet (GIM) as a ‘real estate racket’.
However, he justified Union Minister Veerappa Moily’s criticism on denotifying land in Permude and said that the land is needed for development. Parameshwar also highlighted how the stalled pensions and conflicting versions on the number of illegal BPL cards had caused endless miseries to the poor.
Referring to the hoisting of Pakistani flag in Sindagi, he accused the BJP of conspiring to disturb communal harmony in the state. Backing the Governor in selection of Lokayukta chief, Parameshwar said that the government’s hidden agenda to close all cases by insisting on Justice Bannurmath has been revealed to the public.