No violation in allotment of sites for Congress Bhavans, says Byrathi Suresh

Urban Development and Town Planning Minister Byrathi Suresh on Tuesday said that there has been no violation in the allotment of sites for the construction of Congress Bhavans in different parts of Karnataka.

Replying to a question by BJP member D.S. Arun in the Legislative Council, the Minister said that civic amenity sites have been allotted for the construction of Congress party offices in accordance with decisions taken by the State Cabinet.

The Legislative Council witnessed a heated debate over the allotment of land for the Congress Bhavans, with the Opposition members terming it “daylight robbery” by the ruling party, while the Minister defended the allotment, stating that even the BJP had got civic amenities sites allotted for organisational work.

Mr. Suresh clarified that no civic amenity sites have been allotted for this purpose in the Chamarajanagar, Udupi, and Dakshina Kannada districts. He said no complaints have been received alleging violation of rules in the allotment process.

“As no complaints have been received regarding violation of law in the allotment process, it is clear that all procedures have been followed as per rules,” the Minister said.

Digital payment in Indira Canteens

Mr. Suresh informed the House that steps will be taken to introduce a digital payment system in Indira Canteens.

Replying to a question by member Jagadev Guttedar, the Minister said that food is being supplied in Indira Canteens based on the requirements and food habits of the respective regions. If any disruption in supply occurs, the district Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to take immediate corrective action, he said.

Continuous water supply for Kalaburagi by 2027

The Minister said that work on the continuous water supply project in the Kalaburagi City Corporation limits is in progress and is expected to be completed by 2027.

Responding to a question by member Sunil Vallyapur, Mr. Suresh said the project is being implemented at a cost of ₹837 crore. The work had been delayed due to factors including the COVID-19 pandemic and issues related to land transfer from the Railways, he said.

He added that a penalty of about ₹60 crore has been imposed on the contractor for the delay.