Amidst questions over the state of finances in Karnataka, the Finance Department has asked the Urban Development Department (UDD) to withhold work worth ₹643 crore across 139 local bodies that had been approved under the State Finance Commission (SFC) special grant.
The works, in the range of ₹1 crore to ₹20 crore, were approved by the Finance Department earlier.
A letter from UDD has asked the Municipal Administration Directorate to not take up the works since they are yet to commence.
The UDD’s letter comes in the light of the Finance Department’s directions, and the letter states that the SFC special grant has been put on hold.
Among projects that will be affected include ₹4 crore worth work in Badami and Guledgudda under Badami constituency represented by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah; and ₹20 crore work in Ramanagaram, the constituency earlier represented by former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and now represented by his wife Anitha Kumaraswamy. The order will also affect ₹10 crore-worth work in Channapatna, represented by Mr. Kumaraswamy.
The order also comes in the way of work in Sagar, Sorab, Bhadravathi, and Shivamogga (all in Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa’s home district).
Meanwhile, as a large number of special grants that have been withheld are also in Assembly constituencies held by JD(S) legislators, including Holenarsipur represented by former PWD Minister H.D. Revanna, it has come under attack by Mr. Kumaraswamy. “Mr. Yediyurappa, who is notorious for Operation Kamala, has started a new tradition. Grants given to constituencies by a majority government have been cut, showing partisan stand. Is it fair to take back what was given? This is shameful politics,” he tweeted.
Incidentally, grants have been withheld in consituencies Hirekerur, Yellapur, Chickaballapur, Maski, Mulbagal, and Hoskote, from where rebel legislators have resigned.
