From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Jul 17: With the sensational multi-crore scam involving Mandya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and also the Ramanagaram-Channapatna Urban Development Authority hitting the media limelight and figuring prominently in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, the State Government is seriously considering entrusting the entire scandal for a comprehensive probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

This information was given by the Urban Development Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake to the Assembly on Wednesday.

The minister was responding the matter raised by JD(S) State President and Opposition leader in the Assembly H D Kumaraswamy in the House during the zero hour.

Vinay Kumar Sorake said officers and staff of several banks such as Indian Bank, Vijaya Bank and Allahabad Bank were involved in the alleged irregularities of funds of the two urban development authorities.

“With the involvement of officers and staff several nationalised banks,” the minister said the government was examining entrusting the investigation to the CBI.”

The government would take steps to inform the Reserve Bank of India about alleged involvement of several banks in the misappropriation funds belonging to urban development authorities, he said pointing out that the ''issue was of a very serious nature.”

Sorake said he had already ordered a probe by Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Tuesday into the alleged misappropriation of funds of Rs 6 crore by the MUDA.

Earlier, H D Kumaraswamy alleged that Rs 9.90 crore of the Ramanagaram-Channapatna Urban Development Authority has been misappropriated by a few persons with the support of bank officials.

He demanded CBI probe into the matter to nab the culprits, who misappropriated funds of both the urban development authorities.
 

BJP, KJP Object to Kannada film on Basavanna
 
Opposition members of the BJP and KJP strongly condemned wrong portrayal of 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara in the Kannada film ''Basavanna,” in which Kannada matinee idol Upendra is the hero.

The social reformer has been wrongly portrayed by the film-makers to earn money, they alleged.

Former Kannada and Culture Minister Govind M Karjol raised the issue during the zero hour in the legislative Assembly and demanded action against the film producer.

Former Chief Minister and Lingayat strongman B S Yeddyurappa of the KJP also supported Karjol’s view and said the Lord Basavanna has been wrongly portrayed in banners and cut-outs of the Kannada movie.

The social reformer stood for non-violence and casteless society but the banners portrayed Basavanna with arms and weapons, he said.

If no action was taken against wrong portrayal of the film, the people would come to the streets and resort to public protests, Yeddyurappa warned.