'Is Karnataka Gov't Wasting Taxpayer Money on a Chair and Portraits?' RTI Activist Raises Concerns
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Synopsis
RTI activist Bhimappa Gadad claims the Karnataka government has squandered Rs 43 lakh on a Speaker's chair and Rs 67 lakh on portraits of national leaders. He questions the moral accountability of the government while contrasting its spending with financial hardships faced by citizens. Will this controversy lead to significant changes?
Key Takeaways
- Karnataka government expenditure raises questions about accountability.
- RTI activist's concerns highlight public sentiment regarding wasteful spending.
- Luxury items vs. financial struggles create a stark contrast in governance.
- Calls for investigation reflect political tensions surrounding the issue.
- Public demand for transparency is essential for government accountability.
Belagavi (Karnataka), Dec 2 (NationPress) Right to Information (RTI) activist Bhimappa Gadad has made serious allegations regarding the Karnataka government's spending, claiming that approximately Rs 43 lakh has been used for a single chair designated for the Legislative Assembly Speaker at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi. Additionally, he pointed out a sum of Rs 67 lakh spent on the installation of portraits honoring national leaders within the premises.
In a conversation with IANS in Belagavi, Gadad condemned the Karnataka government for what he describes as a flagrant misuse of taxpayer funds.
"The government asserts it lacks financial resources and is grappling with economic challenges, yet it allocates vast sums for superfluous luxury items," stated the RTI activist.
Gadad specified that the expenditure for the Assembly Speaker's chair alone amounted to Rs 42,93,940.
"This is astounding—almost worthy of a Guinness record. During the President's inauguration of the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, the state government spent Rs 33 lakh on his chair. Now, they’ve spent about Rs 43 lakh on a chair for the Speaker. Even the President does not possess such an opulent chair. This represents an outrageous squandering of public funds," he remarked.
He also raised questions about the moral accountability of Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader.
"I would like to inquire if the Assembly Speaker has similar chairs in his residence and if he typically utilizes chairs worth Rs 43 lakh at home. There should be limits to how public funds are utilized," Gadad expressed.
He emphasized the government's claims of financial difficulties.
"The economic climate is unfavorable. The state government claims it has imposed limitations on extravagant spending. Pensions for the elderly are delayed, and allowances for the disabled, widows, and others have been reduced. Government employees do not receive timely salaries, but MLAs and MPs consistently receive their pay each month," he noted.
Furthermore, the RTI activist disclosed that the state government expended Rs 67,67,964 on portraits of 11 significant figures, including Mahatma Gandhi, Lord Basaveshwara, B.R. Ambedkar, and Veer Savarkar, which were installed inside the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha.
He mentioned that in 2022, the state government had paid Rs 12.70 lakh to artists from the Chitrakala Parishath for portraits of seven notable leaders.
"Subsequently, following the Speaker's instructions, a review team assessed the portraits and reported that they did not accurately represent the personalities. The government then spent an additional Rs 24.80 lakh for revised versions of the same images. In total, the expenditure on the 11 portraits amounts to approximately Rs 67 lakh," the RTI activist added.
Gadad urged the state government to present the Speaker's chair and the portraits for public exhibition.
"They should also appoint a guide to elucidate their exorbitant costs," he insisted.
He warned that if the state government does not take measures to curb what he views as wasteful expenses, he will pursue legal action.
"Pensions for widows and the differently-abled are disbursed only once every two or three months. The only individuals assured of timely salaries and reimbursements are MLAs and MLCs," he added.
The Winter Assembly session is set to commence on December 8 and will run until December 19 at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi.
This situation is likely to incite controversy.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha member and former Speaker Visveshwar Hegde Kageri recently called for an investigation by a sitting judge of the Karnataka High Court concerning the alleged corruption involving Speaker U.T. Khader.
"Let a sitting judge investigate the allegations of corruption against Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader," Kageri asserted, noting that in the past two and a half years, Speaker Khader has allegedly engaged in corrupt practices under the guise of implementing administrative reforms by installing smart locks in legislators' rooms, AI-monitored televisions, organizing book fairs, lighting, and massage chairs for legislators, among other expenditures.
Point of View
It's crucial to view this situation from a balanced perspective. The allegations brought forth by RTI activist Bhimappa Gadad reflect a significant concern over the responsible management of taxpayer funds. While government spending on luxury items raises eyebrows amidst claims of financial strain, it also highlights the ongoing struggle for accountability in governance. Our role is to ensure that citizens are informed and empowered to demand transparency from their leaders.
NationPress
02/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the amount spent on the Speaker's chair?
Approximately Rs 43 lakh was spent on the Legislative Assembly Speaker's chair.
How much did the Karnataka government spend on portraits?
The government spent about Rs 67 lakh on portraits of national leaders inside the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha.
Who raised concerns about the spending?
RTI activist Bhimappa Gadad raised concerns regarding the alleged waste of public funds.
What are the financial claims made by the government?
The Karnataka government claims it is facing financial hardships and has imposed restrictions on wasteful spending.
What is the response from the opposition?
BJP member Visveshwar Hegde Kageri has called for an investigation into the alleged corruption by Speaker U.T. Khader.
