The Congress will move an adjournment motion in the Karnataka Assembly on the issue of “non-cooperation” by government with Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde in his crusade against corruption.
A meeting of senior Congress leaders, including Opposition leader in the state Assembly Siddaramaiah held here yesterday, also resolved to move a resolution in the House demanding giving more powers to Lokayukta, KPCC President R. V. Deshpande told reporters here.
The assembly session is scheduled to start on June 28.
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He alleged that the BJP government had no respect for institutions set up under the Constitution including Lokayukta and State Human Rights Commission. The party would launch a State-wide agitation against the “insult” heaped on the Lokayukta institution.
Justice Hegde, a former Supreme Court judge known for his fight against corruption, had announced his resignation on June 23 rapping BJP government for its “indifferent attitude” towards fighting corruption, embarrassing the State government.
Mr. Deshpande, who came under fire after allegation of the State unit misusing funds collected for flood relief surfaced, said there was no misuse of funds.
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The Congress has decided to donate Rs. 92 lakh, which it held under two accounts including Rs. 75 lakh in the form of a fixed deposit to the Karnataka Calamity Relief Fund of the State government, he said.
Mr. Deshpande claimed that the state government has kept Rs 416.54 crore funds it raised through donations from public and other organisations for flood relief in its Treasury without spending on relief works.
Even Rs. 21.32 crore collected for Tsunami and earthquake relief earlier and deposited in State Bank of Mysore has also been transferred to the Treasury, he said.
This indicated the State government’s poor financial health, he claimed.
On the issue of disappearance of five lakh tonnes of iron ore from Belikere port near Karwar and illegal mining, he said Congress would approach the Centre seeking a probe.