Yashodhar Bangera / Shreyas H S
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, May 2: Minister of state for fisheries, sports and youth services, Abhaychandra Jain allegedly threatened a reporter of a Kannada daily when asked to comment on certain facts related to the proposed Niddodi power project that were revealed through RTI.
Abhaychandra Jain reportedly threatened the journalist of physical assault and said that reports about Niddodi based on RTI documents were 'baseless'.
He also allegedly said that Congress party workers have a strong presence and they would 'break his legs' and 'burn the newspaper' if such reports on Niddodi project are published.
When daijiworld contacted Abhaychandra, he reiterated that the reports were 'baseless' and he would not be bothered by them. When quizzed further, he seemed to have lost his temper and abruptly disconnected the call.
Over the last few days, various print and electronic media have been publishing hitherto unknown facts about the proposed ultra mega power project at Niddodi, obtained through RTI. The RTI revealed that chief minister Siddaramaiah had written a letter to the central government urging for the project, and that the government had planned to conduct pollution audit of UPCL, so that this report could be used to support setting up of power plant at Niddodi, and that even a corridor had been planned from Panambur for supply of coal to Niddodi.