Southern States
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Karnataka
Centre should take action on racket: Chandre Gowda
By Our Special Correspondent
BANGALORE, JAN. 24. The Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, D.B. Chandre Gowda, said on Thursday that the Centre should take action with regard to the inter-State fake stamp paper racket, and not remain a spectator.
Intervening during the discussion on the racket in the Legislative Assembly, he said that it was for the Centre to act under the Indian Stamps Act. Turning down the Opposition's demand for a CBI probe, he wondered why it was necessary when the State police were the first to nab the culprits behind the racket. The other States had not taken any such action. He praised the JD(U) member and former Revenue Minister, B. Somashekar, for his suggestions on the racket. It should be considered as to what would happen to the deeds registered using fake papers once a CBI probe began, he said.
Earlier, the Social Welfare Minister, Kagodu Thimmappa, demanded that the BJP member, Araga Jnanendra, substantiate his allegation that one of the accused in the case was the general secretary of the minority department of the KPCC, Abdul Azeem Telgi.
B.N. Bachche Gowda (JD-U), who demanded a CBI probe, said that the responsibility of Karnataka was more than that of other States as it was the hub of the racket. He was happy that the Tourism Minister, Roshan Baig, had said that action could be taken against his brother if he was involved.
Y.K. Ramaiah (Congress) saw no justification for the demand of the Opposition that the Government should order a CBI inquiry, as the Centre, according to him, could take the initiative to order such a probe after obtaining the consent of the States involved.
Mr. Ramaiah said that if the team of officers set up to investigate the case had some officials of questionable honesty and integrity -- a suspicion expressed by Mr. Jnanendra -- the Government could be asked to remove them.
Demanding a CBI investigation, Mr. Jnanendra asked the Government whether it had taken steps to seize the press in Kolkata where fake stamp papers were allegedly printed, and to arrest its owner.
Referring to the statement by Mr. Roshan Baig that his brother's signature was forged on a letter to the Commissioner of Commercial Taxes in connection with the use of his premises by the main accused in the stamp paper racket, Mr. Jnanendra wanted to know if any legal action had been taken.
K.M. Srinivasa Gowda (JD-U) justified the demand for a CBI inquiry. His party colleague, K.B. Krishnamurthy, alleged that there was dilution of evidence in the case in the past two years.
Yogish Bhat (BJP) demanded that Mr. Baig be dropped from the ministry. The purpose for which the money earned by selling fake stamp papers was used should be probed, he said.
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