Karnataka MLA gets Lokayukta notice for failing to declare assets

Bangalore, Jan 27: Barely a month after the controversial party leader R Roshan Baig entered the

cabinet, the state anti-corruption body Lokayukta has served a notice to him for failing to declare his assets and liabilities for the financial year 2012-13.

Baig is the Minister for Infrastructure Development, Haj & Information of the state. Besides him, two other Congress MLAs - Muniratna Naidu and B.A. Mohiuddin Bava - have also been issued notices by the Lokayukta.

According to the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984, it is mandatory for all elected representatives of the Assembly to declare their assets and liabilities for every financial year on or before June 30. Any violation of this rule is considered an offence and invites a legal action and penalty.

Baig's induction into the Cabinet on January 1 along with senior leader DK Shivakumar, had faced strong opposition from within the party and criticism from rival parties.

Baig got into controversy after he was alleged to have illegally sold a plot of government land. The case is being heard in the Lokayukta court.

However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah contended that the charges against the two ministers were not "serious". Other than the three Congress MLAs, former minister C.P. Yogeshwara of the Samajwadi Party and K. Srinivasamurthy of the Janata Dal (Secular) have also not declared their assets and liabilities for 2012-13.

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