Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, April 23: The Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced the launch of a public awareness and online signature campaign on Tuesday against the alleged Rs 15,000 crore scam related to smart meters, implicating State energy minister K J George.
Speaking at a press conference held at the BJP’s state headquarters, ‘Jagannath Bhavan’, in Bengaluru, former deputy chief minister and BJP MLA C N Ashwath Narayan stated, “We will inform the public about the government’s daylight robbery. Small and medium industries are struggling to pay electricity bills.”
He said that formal complaints regarding the alleged scam have already been submitted to both the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and the Principal Accountant General.
“We have requested a swift investigation and are making sincere efforts from all directions. We are trying to send a strong message to those involved in day-and-night corruption,” he said.
In response to a media query, Ashwath Narayan pointed out that any member of the public is free to file a complaint on the issue, while also revealing that an agreement had been signed with a company that has been previously blacklisted.
The BJP MLA alleged large-scale corruption within the energy department. “If this is extended to existing consumers, everyone will have to pay Rs 1.5 lac. If it is extended to 2.5 crore consumers, imagine the scale of the corruption,” he said.
“We have raised the issue of the smart meter scam several times in the state. To bring this to a logical conclusion, we have already filed a complaint with the Lokayukta on April 21. We have succeeded in drawing the attention of both the society and the government,” he further explained.
He also hinted at the possibility of corruption in cable procurement and electricity purchases carried out by the department.
“Is there no legal accountability in this department? Even raising the issue in the Assembly doesn’t help. In a situation where those guarding the fence are grazing the field, how can justice be ensured for the people? It’s a free-for-all scenario. When the guardians of the treasury themselves start looting it, where are we supposed to go?” he asked.
He further asserted that whenever the BJP takes up an issue, it follows through to its conclusion. “Ensuring punishment is one part. Creating public awareness by explaining the issue is another important task,” he added.
BJP Bengaluru North district president S Harish and State Social Media Co-ordinator Narendra Murthy were also present at the press conference.
BJP MLAs, under the leadership of former deputy chief minister C N Ashwath Narayan, have lodged a formal complaint against energy minister K J George and others with the Karnataka Lokayukta on April 21 in connection with the alleged smart meter scam.