Bengaluru, Aug 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday demanded the resignation of Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge, questioning his “contradictory” statements on IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar amid an Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into alleged recruitment irregularities.
Kumaraswamy also alleged that 24 assistant executive engineers (AEEs) were appointed in haste and in an “illegal manner” when Kharge was in charge of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (RDPR) Department.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Friday, Kumaraswamy alleged that the appointments were made despite court orders and a communication to the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) against proceeding with the recruitment.
He also alleged that oral instructions were initially issued before the appointments were eventually made.
“If you have any dignity and want to ensure transparent governance, Minister Priyank Kharge should resign immediately,” Kumaraswamy said.
The Union Minister also released OMR sheets, recruitment records and other documents, claiming that they raised questions over the way the appointments were made.
Kumaraswamy further targeted Kharge over the controversy surrounding IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar, who was reportedly the controller of the examination.
He questioned Kharge’s statements regarding the whereabouts of Gyanendra Kumar, reportedly missing after the raids by the ED on his Bengaluru residence.
According to Kumaraswamy, Kharge had said on August 23 that Gyanendra Kumar had gone to meet his ailing father after obtaining permission and would return in two days. Kharge had also reportedly said that the IAS officer had sent an email and that he had spoken to him.
However, Kumaraswamy claimed that Kharge subsequently stated on August 25 that he did not know Gyanendra Kumar’s whereabouts.
“Why are you running the Home department if you say you do not know what is happening?” Kumaraswamy asked, alleging that the contradictory statements had raised doubts over whether the government was protecting the officer.
The controversy comes amid the ED searches linked to alleged irregularities in the recruitment of veterinary officers.
Kumaraswamy referred to allegations raised by a person named Manjunath that Rs 80 lakh was demanded for recruitment, with Rs 40 lakh allegedly sought as an advance.
He said the allegations prompted the ED to examine the financial transactions connected with the case and that the subsequent reports surrounding the IAS officer’s whereabouts had triggered a public debate.
Kumaraswamy also criticised Kharge for making statements on various issues and questioning the Rastriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) while allegedly failing to provide clarity on the recruitment controversy.
He demanded that the Home Minister explain the government’s position on the appointment process and the role of the examination controller.
-- IANS
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Source: IANS
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