Srinivasa seeks CBI probe into land deal

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, JAN. 12. The Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Mr. K.H.Srinivasa, has said the Chief Minister, Mr. S.M.Krishna, should restrain the Minister for Housing, Mr. Qamar- ul-Islam from going ahead with a proposal to buy sites in a private layout in Shimoga for the Karnataka Housing Board.

In a letter to Mr. Krishna, Mr. Srinivasa, who hails from Shimoga, demanded a CBI inquiry into the deal which he described as a corruption scandal involving Rs. six crores. The Chief Minister should also order the seizure of all the documents pertaining to the deal, particularly an adverse report from the former Deputy Commissioner of Shimoga District, Mr. Srinivasachary.

Mr. Srinivasa noted that he had already brought to the notice of the Chief Minister the fact that the Housing Board had proposed to buy sites in Sudhindranagar Layout in Shimoga at an abnormally high rate. In response, the Chief Minister had ordered an inquiry by the Deputy Commissioner. Though the official had submitted the report, it had not been brought to the notice of Mr. Krishna, and it had been held back in the Housing Department. The officer (former DC) had since been appointed Personal Secretary to the Chief Minister.

The Opposition Leader levelled a direct allegation against Mr. Islam and the Commissioner of the Housing Board with regard to the land deal. There was evidence to support their involvement, he added.

The Chief Minister should get the Deputy Commissioner's report, scrap the entire deal and order the CBI inquiry, Mr. Srinivasa said.

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Section  : Southern States
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