Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (RJP)
Bengaluru, Jan 26: State minister for small scale industries Ramesh Jarkiholi, who recently faced raids by the officials of the income tax department, has said that figure of Rs 162 crore being found in the raids was 'false' and that it has caused him 'embarassment'.
He said that he has had to face embarrassment due to the 'wrong information' conveyed through the media that said Rs 162 crore of undeclared property and 12 kilograms of gold were found at his house and office during the recent raid.
In a press statement, Ramesh Jarkiholi said, "I-T sleuths found only Rs 115 crore during the raid. Out of that, Rs 85 crore belongs to the sugar factory. The remaining Rs 35 crore too belongs to different businesses related to the sugar factory. There is no illegitimate income here. Everything has been accounted for. Legally, all the money seized belongs to the sugar factory.
"I will explain to the I-T department when I am asked about it. I will furnish the required documents. Supporting documents have been submitted relating to the money and gold found at my brother Lakhan Jarkiholi’s house. It is wrong to project me as a big offender and criminal. There is definitely a political conspiracy here," he added.
"I have followed Congress principles all my life. I have discharged all the responsibilities given to me in good faith. Belagavi district politics has played a big role in the I-T raid. I will give a report on this to chief minister (CM) Siddaramaiah and KPCC president Dr G Parameshwara. No damage has been done to the party image because of this raid. I am ready for any sacrifice for the sake of the party," he asserted.
Meanwhile, Dr Parameshwara refused to be drawn into controversy. "The IT raid was conducted by the central government agency. The state does not have report on the same. As I am the party chief, the minister concerned will obviously talk to me and discuss the matter. But since I was out of town, I could not talk to him regarding the issue."
BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa demanded in a press meet that Ramesh Jarkiholi should resign or chief minister Siddaramaiah should sack him immediately as crores of rupees were unearthed during the IT raid. Women Congress president Lakshmi Hebbalkar and Ramesh Jarkiholi both have admitted that IT raids took place. If the CM says that he is unaware of it, it looks childish and silly.
"Central government had given ultimatum to declare unaccounted money under some schemes. Now they have to pay higher tax and penalty. Ramesh declared that he had properties worth Rs 59 crore when he submitted his details to election commission. But now he has assets worth more than Rs 100 crore. CBI may take up the investigations on the same," Yeddyurappa added.