Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jul 20: Karnaraka Minister for Food and Civil supplies U T Khader reacted sharply to Shobha Karndlaje’s demand to set up National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Mangaluru.

“MP Shobha should first learn what NIA is and its purpose in handling cases. She should do a study before commenting about law and the investigation agencies,” he ridiculed.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday July 20 at District Congress Office, he criticized Shobha Karndlaje for sending a list of people who died to the centre stating they are ‘victims of Congress rule’.

“If one sees the list, she has made, many mistakes can be found and she even included names of people who are alive. She has used baseless and false information to blame the state government and is being misguided by the Central Government,” he alleged.

He further questioned on why names of Vinayaka Baliga, Santhosh Poojari and many others who were killed by BJP members are not mentioned in the list. “It shows her double standards in social justice,” he alleged.

“NIA is an investigating agency which investigates terror related crimes. Our government never objected on handing cases to NIA. In a matter of fact, when we got to know about the Shivaji Nagar murder in which the victim was a member of the BJP, we have handed the case to NIA without anybody’s demand. Shobha should stop commenting unnecessarily for political mileage,” he said.

Replying to a query on the state flag issue, he said, “The state government or the Congress party will never go against the Indian federal system. A committee is appointed to discuss about the state flag. The committee will submit their report keeping India’s unity in diversity in mind. Karnataka already has an unofficial state flag and the committee will study about its legality,” he added.

Distribution of sugar, palm oil and salt to stop

“We are stopping the distribution of sugar, palm oil and salt to BPL card holders. The card holders are not interested to buy these items in the ration shops. Further, the state is not getting subsidy for sugar from the centre. As part of stock clearance, the ration shops in DK and Udupi districts have been ordered to distribute the items to the BPL card holders. After the stock finishes, only distribution of rice and daal will be focused on,” he said.

District Congress President Harish Kumar, leaders Sadashiv, Santhosh Shetty, Santhosh Karkera, Melwyn were present at the press meet.