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Mandya (Karnataka), Oct 16 (IANS) Union Heavy Industries and Steel Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday said the Congress-led government in Karnataka has reached into the pockets of the citizens of Bengaluru in the guise of giving Diwali gifts and alleged that it is extorting Rs 15,000 crore in the name of A-account.
While speaking to the media at Raitha Bhawan in Mandya after inaugurating the newly constructed modern auto stand at Sanjay Circle, he made a scathing attack on the government.
Kumaraswamy said, “When they talked about Diwali gifts, people thought that the government would give them a big benefit. I also thought so after seeing the big advertisements. But in reality, it turned out to be a big scam in the name of Diwali.”
“Instead of giving a Diwali gift, they are giving a shock to the people of Bengaluru. How? An application fee of Rs 500 has to be paid to change from B-account to A-account. In the name of this fee, the government is collecting hundreds of crores of rupees. People are being forced to pay between Rs 4 to 8 lakh for a 30×40 site. Earlier, the citizens of Bengaluru had to pay only Rs 10,000. Had to pay Rs 13,000 now. They have to pay lakhs. Through this A-account racket, the state government is collecting Rs 15,000 crore,” he alleged.
Kumaraswamy said, “Is this what you mean by improving people’s lives through guarantees? You are taxing people only to give the so-called sixth guarantee. Ever since this government came to power, it has been continuously looting. The only focus is on making money in every possible way.”
“This government has no money. That’s why it is spending money wherever possible. Forget about filling potholes in Bengaluru, they have not been able to fix potholes across the state,” the minister said.
He further said, “In Hassan, the CM asked what was the contribution of JDS. A senior Congress leader had come to Delhi to ask about my health. The leader himself told me that work is going on even today on the grant of Rs 500 crore given in 2018. The CM, who talks about grants, should keep records before the people – how much I gave when I was in power and how much they gave. Let them show it to the public.” Kumaraswamy challenged.
Inaugurating the auto stand built at Rs 35 lakh, Kumaraswamy said, “This auto stand has been built with former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda’s MP Local Area Development Fund and my own MPLADS fund. It is a modern, spacious facility that will benefit auto drivers as well as passengers. There was a demand for such a stand for a long time. That demand has now been fulfilled. The construction was completed in a short time.” He said.
Kumaraswamy said, “In this city, auto services are very important for public transport. But the drivers were struggling in the rain and heat. They had requested for proper stands. We immediately acted on it. With Deve Gowda’s and my grant, this project was started. I thank Deve Gowda for contributing his funds.”
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday announced a 100-day campaign from November 1 to convert B accounts into A accounts in the area under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). He called it the sixth guarantee of the state government.
“The state government has taken a historic decision to convert B-account to A-account. This scheme will benefit 15 lakh property owners in Bengaluru. This is a revolutionary scheme and will clean up the property market,” the Deputy Chief Minister said after inaugurating the online system for converting B-account to A-account at Vidhana Soudha.
“Properties up to 2,000 square meters are covered under the new scheme. All properties converting to A-Khata need to produce CAD drawings and other documents. The campaign will run for 100 days from November 1. If the property owner registers online for conversion by paying a registration fee of Rs 500, corporation officials will come to the doorstep and provide conversion services,” he said.
B-Khata site refers to property listed in the B Register of the municipal authority and does not fully comply with the bylaws or lacks proper documentation. The A-Account site is completely legal and compliant with the regulations. The conversion process is designed to clarify legal ownership, improve property valuation and facilitate seamless real estate transactions. This scheme is applicable only on individual plots.
–IANS
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