Karnataka administration has collapsed:?Shettar

Bengaluru, Mar 5: Opposition leader in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar on Friday charged that the administration in the State has collapsed completely and “unreasonable” transfer of police officer in Kudligi and arrest of a farmer in Sullia for complaining about frequent power cuts recently were testimony to it.

Speaking on the motion of thanks to the Governor's address in the Assembly, Shettar said Labour Minister P T Parameshwara Naik had been caught on camera claiming that he got the police officer transferred for keeping his phone call on hold.

“It proved the high-handedness of the minister. The government promptly reinstated the officer after people raised a hue and cry,” he added.Similarly, Energy Minister D K Shivakumar got a Sullia farmer, Giridhar Rai, arrested for complaining about frequent power cuts, recently. The minister abused the farmer in foul language.

The police arrested the farmer by breaking into his house and booked false cases against him. “These incidents clearly show that the administration has collapsed. The officials are demoralised. Instead of taking appropriate steps to set right lapses, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has remained a mute spectator,” the BJP leader charged.

Corruption prevalent

The former chief minister said that government appears to be safeguarding corrupt officials. Only those officials belonging to certain castes are being promoted.An assistant commissioner in Hiriyur taluk of Chitradurga district was recently caught demanding Rs four lakh bribe from a farmer for khata transfer.

Sharing bribe money'

The officer admitted that he has to share the bribe money with Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya, who is also Chitradurga district in-charge minister. But the chief minister neither took any action against the officer nor has he sought any explanation from his Cabinet colleague, Shettar said.Not only opposition parties but many senior leaders of the Congress, including Janardhana Poojari, Mallikarjuna Kharge, B K Hariprasad and A H Vishwanath have criticised the government. The chief minister has refused to take action against corrupt ministers. Freedom fighter H S Doreswamy has stated that the Siddaramaiah government has become blind, he added.