The Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP) on Friday alleged that there was large-scale corruption in granting permission to establish over a dozen private universities in the State.
Addressing presspersons here, V. Dhananjaya Kumar, president, campaign committee, KJP, alleged that Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and Minister for Higher Education C.T. Ravi had “made good fortune” taking a decision to permit private universities in the State in the last few months.
The State Legislature passed 17 Bills in the last few months to allow private managements to set up universities in the State. The Opposition Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) too criticised the government decision to pass Bills without debate.
Palace Grounds ‘deal’
In a petition to the Election Commission of India, Mr. Kumar has alleged that the government has proposed to sell 500 acres of Palace Grounds in Bangalore to a private developer. He alleged that Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah is “hand-in-glove with the government” in the deal.
Pointing out that the case related the Palace Grounds land dispute was pending before the Supreme Court, the KJP urged the Election Commission not to allow the government to take major decisions at the fag end of its term, which would go against the public interest as well the State.
Liquor shops
Mr. Kumar opposed the government’s move to grant licenses to open hundreds of liquor shops.
The Cabinet meeting scheduled to be held on Tuesday (March 12) would take a decision on issuing of license to set up hundreds of liquor shops across the State, which would be detrimental to the living of poor women, Mr. Kumar said.
The government has proposed to increase commission to liquor vendors from 10 per cent to 20 per cent with an intention to collect huge kickbacks, he alleged in its petition.
