People in almost the entire State may be battling drought, but not all legislators are in the mood for austerity measures.
Karnataka Legislative Council Secretariat has placed orders to purchase 14 cars for its members. Council Chairman D.H. Shankaramurhty, who recently purchased a high-end car for himself, has cleared a proposal to purchase 14 sedans.
These cars are to be parked at the Legislators’ Home (LH) and would be used by members during the session as well as during their stay in the LH. In contrast, the Legislative Assembly has put brakes on purchase of 16 cars costing Rs. 1.89 crore for its members. Legislative Assembly Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa has rejected a proposal cleared by the former Assembly Secretary S.Y. Kulageri to buy new cars, saying the State has been facing severe drought and there was no necessity of purchasing new cars for MLAs.
Sources in the Council Secretariat told The Hindu that there were 25 cars at the LH which were purchased a few years ago for the benefit of MLCs. About 80 cars were at the LH for the benefit of MLAs. Assembly Secretariat sources said that all legislators had their own cars as well.
Travelling abroad
That is not all. A couple of Ministers have even set off on travel abroad on tax payers’ money. A few days ago, Excise Minister Manohar Tahsildar demanded a new SUV, costing around Rs. 25 lakh, claiming he has back pain.
Legislative Council places orders for 14 cars
Legislative Assembly has put brakes on purchase
of 16 cars
