Scams, price hikes have become Congress govt.’s guarantees, says C.T. Ravi

BJP MLC C.T. Ravi has accused the Congress-led State government of failing to fulfil its promises and said that corruption scandals and price rises have become its principal guarantees.

Speaking to the press in Kalaburagi on Wednesday, Mr. Ravi said that the burden of taxes and rising costs has made life difficult for ordinary people in the State.

He said that the State government is diverting attention from controversies involving the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case, the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation and the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), instead of addressing the allegations.

Referring to the controversy over a sting operation in the State, Mr. Ravi called for an impartial investigation to establish the facts and determine the role of those involved in the sting operation.

He questioned why Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar only cautioned against the sting operation but has not urged his Ministers and party leaders to maintain probity.

He said that a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe should be ordered into it to bring the truth to light.

On the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Mr. Ravi challenged Congress leaders to substantiate their allegations of electoral malpractice with documentary evidence.

The inclusion and deletion of names are governed by Election Commission rules, and the electoral officers concerned are responsible for examining applications and objections before taking a final decision, he said.

Terming the allegations of fake voters being added to the rolls and names being deleted contradictory, he asked Congress leaders to produce evidence of vote theft in Kalaburagi.

Those demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner should first consider resigning from the positions they have won through the same electoral process, he said.

Mr. Ravi also sought an explanation from the State government for delays in pension payments to around 23 lakh beneficiaries and criticised it for failing to adequately address drought conditions, farmers distress and rising agricultural costs.

He cited the proposed hike in milk prices and complaints over increased charges for obtaining electricity transformers.

Replying to a question, Mr. Ravi said that the State government should discuss farmers problems and sugarcane prices, along with key issues concerning the State’s development.

He said that the Centre’s minimum support prices (MSP) for crops should be compared with those fixed in previous years. He also maintained that the Union government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has protected farmers interests. It has not neglected Karnataka, he added.