Karnataka - Belgaum   

`Congress making wild charges'

Special Correspondent

Let them submit documents, if any, to the House Committee: Kumaraswamy

BELGAUM: A land scam revelation by an English television channel allegedly involving Transport Commissioner M.C. Narayana Gowda quickly fizzled out without causing any serious damage to the Government. It was a " drama" conspired by a top Congress leader to damage the reputation of the coalition Government, leaders of the two ruling parties claimed.

A sting operation by a private television channel's special investigation team on Tuesday highlighted on a vast tract of land measuring around 500 acres and estimated to be worth Rs. 800 crore. It was also stated that it was a reserve forest land located in Bangalore South and that it was being illegally sold to a private construction firm.

A few years ago, the Karnataka High Court in its order had declared that the land at Turahalli belonged to the Government. The previous Congress Government had not provided the required documents to prove that the land belonged to the Forest Department, sources in the Government said.

The issue came up for discussion in the Assembly when the Congress members sought the resignation of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy since his name was referred by the official (Transport Commissioner).

Leader of the Opposition N. Dharam Singh supported by M. Mallikarjun Kharge and R.V. Deshpande (all Congress) demanded that the probe into the alleged land and iron ore mining scams be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The Chief Minister said Congress members had been making charges against the Government with out any evidence. He appealed to the Congress members to submit documents, if any, to the House Committee on Land Encroachment for a detailed study. The valuable time of the House was lost by debating irrelevant matters.

"The Opposition is blackmailing the Government by seeking a discussion on baseless allegations," he said.

On bribery charges made by the suspended BJP MLC G. Janardhan Reddy, Mr. Kumaraswamy said the Government had set up a judicial commission to probe the illegal mining, including allegations of bribe-taking.

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