The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Suvarna Soudha: ‘explain cost rise'

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Sunday, Jun 12, 2011
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Suvarna Soudha: ‘explain cost rise'

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: Senior Congress leader V.S. Ugrappa on Saturday alleged that there was corruption in the construction of Suvarna Soudha in Belgaum. The estimated cost had risen from Rs.187 crore to Rs. 370 crore, he said and criticised Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who holds the Finance portfolio, for burdening the exchequer.

Speaking to presspersons here, Mr. Ugrappa recalled Mr. Yeddyurappa's criticism of the former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna when the building cost of the Vikasa Soudha escalated. The Chief Minister owed an explanation to the people for the rise in the cost of building the Suvarna Soudha, he said.

The Chief Secretary had objected to the huge increase in the cost, but he was overruled by the Government, Mr. Ugrappa claimed and demanded a CBI probe into the issue.

He took a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad for his statement that the Yeddyurappa Government's image had been dented because of the canards spread by the Congress.

Mr. Ugrappa took exception to the BJP leader attacking the Governor H.R. Bhardwaj.

If the BJP leaders were sincere in their fight against corruption, they should first seek the resignation of Mr. Yeddyurappa, the Congress leader said.

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