Opposition stages dharna in the well of the House

Bangalore, July 18 (UNI) Demanding a House Committee probe on alleged corruption involving Rs 150 crore in Karnataka State Agro Corn Products Limited, entire opposition members today staged a dharna in the Legislative Council, leading to adjournment of the House for the day.

Replying to a short duration discussion on the issue, Women and Child Welfare Minister H Kumaraswamy denied the allegations of the opposition members and said and there was no intention to close the organisation.

Mr Kumaraswamy said the State Finance Department did not respond favourably twice to its request to provide direct orders without participating in tendering process for supply of food products to Anganwadis in the State.

Intervening in the discussion, Leader of the House D H Shankaramurthy said the Government was willing to hold inquiry into specific charges. The Government has no intention to close the company, as feared by the opposition members, he added.

Opposition leader H K Patil said the Government should not treat it as a prestige issue, since the allegations on corruption was serious in nature and the officials involved should be punished. A House Committee should be formed to unearth the truth and officials allegedly involved should be kept under suspension, Mr Patil added.

V S Ugrappa, who raised the issue, alleged that a calculated move had been made by the Government to close the company by throwing out 300 permanent employees.

The company, which was earning profit, was turned into a loss-making unit for the last three years by the officials, who wanted to favour private Operators from other States, including Tamil Nadu, Mr Ugrappa alleged.

As per direction by Mr Mukhyamantri Chandru, who was on the Chair, Mr Kumaraswamy had agreed to consult the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister on the issue and give reply tomorrow.

However, Opposition members, joined by Mr Narayanaswamy Independent, continued their dharna in the Well of the House.

UNI