Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (RJP)
Bengaluru, Oct 11 : A senior IAS officer has complained of abuse and intimidation by Shivamurthy Naik, MLA from Mayakonda, and sought protection from the government.
Rajendra Kumar Kataria, commerce and industries secretary, is the complainant. He says he has been abused by the MLA at least three times.
It is alleged that Kataria was abused because he did not granite mining licence to Suraj S Naik, son of Shivamurthy Naik.
Rajendra Kumar Kataria
Suraj had sought a lease in Siddeshwaranadurga village, Challakere, Chitradurga district.
Kataria has written to chief secretary Subhash Khuntia, IAS officers association president P Ravikumar, and chief minister Siddaramaiah.
As per the letter, the MLA said to Kataria, “You are my servant and if you don’t listen to my orders, be ready to face dire consequences,” and “You are looting money in this department.”
“It is very difficult to carry out my officials duties impartially without any fear or favour. MLA Naik is preventing the government officers to carry out official duties and this is a crime under Section 353 of the IPC,” the letter adds.
Section 353 deals with assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty.
Kataria met Siddaramaiah on Tuesday, October 11 and explained his woes, it is said.
The MLA’s son had applied for the lease on March 24, 2015. Kataria said it was ‘ineligible’ following an amendment to the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession (Amendment) Rules of 2016 as the rule 8B says applications received prior to August 12, 2016, are not eligible.
The letter claims that Kataria explained this to MLA Naik repeatedly but he continued to abuse Kataria.
The last incident took place on October 9 when Naik entered Kataria’s office and began screaming at him.
“He was trying to force me to get the file immediately and approve it today itself. He also mentioned that he is the government and his orders have to be complied with,” the letter says.
The IAS officers association has condemned the incident.
Earlier, Naik had abused and threatened additional chief secretary Ajai Seth over the release of grant-in-aid for educational institutions.