Judicial inquiry ordered into bribery charge against Kumaraswamy

Bangalore, July 21 (UNI) Unanimously approving the recommendation of the Coordination Committee of the ruling parties, JD(S) and BJP, the Karnataka Cabinet today ordered a judicial inquiry into the bribery charge against Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and illegal mining in the entire State.

Emerging out of the Cabinet meeting, State Primary and Secondary Education Minister Basavaraj S Horatti told reporters here that the terms and conditions of the inquriy would be notified within a week.

However, the inquiry would cover aspects like favouritism, bribery and corrupt practices, along with the bribery charge of Rs 150 crore against Mr Kumaraswamy and two Ministers.

Yesterday, the JD(S)-BJP Coordination Committee had recommended a probe into the issue, but left the decision on the nature of the inquiry to the Cabinet.

Mr Horatti said the Cabinet approved the appointment of former Chief Secretary A Ravindra as head of the State Planning Board.

The Cabinet rejected the recommendations of the Assessors report of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and said the Centre had no power to appoint an Expert Committee with regard to the vexed dispute.

The Minister said the Cabinet also gave its clearance for convening a meeting of the Southern States on July 30 to draw up a collective remedy to fight Chikungunya disease.

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