Suffering from back pain, Karnataka Excise Minister demands luxury SUV for travel

Bengaluru, April 4: After massive controversy over Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's expensive watch, now Karnataka's Excise Minister Manohar Tahsildar has landed in a row over alleged allotment of an expensive luxury car.

Reports claim that the minister has been allotted a Fortuner car because he is suffering from back pain, but the move is in gross violation of the government's existing rule, which prohibits ministers from using expensive luxury vehicles.

As per Karnataka Government norms, an official cannot own a car more than worth Rs 13 lakh. While, the Fortuner allotted to Manohar Tahsildar, by the government, costs Rs 25 lakh.

Tahsildar had reportedly requested government to provide Toyota Fortuner in place of Toyota Innova, which he currently uses. The Siddaramaiah government accepted his request.

After being asked about the new luxury car Tahsildar was quoted as saying, "I have to travel from Bengaluru to my constituency in Hanagal, Haveri district, which is 300 kms away from the state capital. Due to long travel hours I have developed back pain problems."

"That is the main reason behind requesting the government for new car," he concluded.

However, there is no reaction from Chief Minister's Office over this issue.

OneIndia News