INDIA
Karnataka Task Force chairman V Balasubramanian defends his report released on Government Land in the city.
The report released by the Task Force for Recovery and Protection of Government Land created a political storm.
Revenue minister G Karunakara Reddy’s decision to reject the report and question the propriety of the Task Force chairman V Balasubramanian releasing the report to the media has drawn sharp reactions.
In an exclusive interview to Srikanth Hunasavadi, Balasubramanian defends his actions.
What is your take on revenue minister’s remarks that you flouted established procedure?
That is just not true. Just because the report is anti-government, the minister has been accusing me of violating norms. Being a senior bureaucrat, I know protocol well. There was no dissent from other members.
A copy of the report was given 15 days earlier, and except for a request from the Lake Development Authority to alter one sentence, there was no dissent. In fact, all the members praised me for the good report.
The minister’s allegations are baseless. The copy of the report was given to all high-level government officers, including the state’s chief secretary, SV Ranganth.
What about the allegation that the Task Force did not visit districts?
The Task Force conducted meetings with district commissioners in all the four divisions. It visited 14 districts, and made several site visits, except in the ‘Republic of Bellary,’ where members feared a threat to their lives. We received 1,600 complaints. Twenty-nine spot inspections were undertaken.
How can the minister say the task force has not visited the spots? These allegations are being made just to stymie the report.
Are you satisfied with your job?
No. The state government’s non-cooperative attitude and frequent transfers of efficient officers were hurdles, and we could not function like we would have liked to.
Some straight forward and efficient officers like V Madhu, Harsha Gupta, Naveen Kumar Singh, Sathyavati and Asha Parveen tried to help the task force in the attempt to recover public land, but the state government, by transferring such officers frequently, has not allowed them to work. As a result, in two-and-a-half years, we only recovered 4% of the total encroached 12 lakh acres of public land.
Did political meddling hamper work?
Before appointing me the chairman of the task force, the government assured full cooperation. After that, it showed little interest. When we tried to remove encroachments in Chikkamagalur, the chief minister himself stopped us.
When our Task Force planned to visit Kolar and Chikkamagalur, the CM’s office tried to prevent us. Too much political interference prevented the Task Force from going full blast.
DNA TV Show: How US Presidential election results may impact the world
Sharda Sinha dies at 72: Who are there in her family?
Who was Sharda Sinha aka Bihar Kokila, famous for Chhath and Maine Pyar Kiya songs?
Bihar Kokila Sharda Sinha passes away in AIIMS, son Anshuman confirms news
Parliament's winter session to begin from Nov 25, to continue till Dec 20
IPL 2025 mega auction dates announced: Check no. of players, venue, where to watch and more
Deepinder Goyal reveals customers' reaction to wife Grecia Munoz delivering Zomato orders
Infosys founder Narayana Murthy flirts with Sudha Murty in viral video from Kapil Sharma show
Ajay Devgn's fans don't want Singham Again to become a blockbuster: 'Rohit Shetty jab tak hai...'
Types, Most Popular and Where to Buy Peptides for Bodybuilding
Luxury in the City of Light: SABO Boutique Hotel Brings Elegance to Varanasi’s Sacred Ghats
Virat Kohli, Babar Azam could play for same team as Afro-Asia Cup set for revival
Shaping the Future of Web Apps: Full Stack Developer’s Expertise in API Design and Cloud Deployment
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Software Performance and Security
Mastering Linux for Superior Sound
Amid divorce rumours of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, Aaradhya praises mother in viral video
AI in Data Warehousing: Future Trends and Innovations
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio IPO worth Rs 840960 crore in 2025: All you need to know
After India's 0-3 loss against New Zealand, Shah Rukh Khan calls Gautam Gambhir...
BIG revelation on Imane Khelif, Olympic gold medallist boxer's medical repot leaked, it confirms…
Meet man who built Rs 152000 crore company, donated Rs 100 crore, now set to lead US firm as...
Visa Uncertainty: Impact of US polls on global talent
Virat Kohli turns 36: IPL franchises send heartwarming birthday wishes to legendary India cricketer
Meet Sanjay Verma, the new DGP of Maharashtra who replaced Rashmi Shukla
Anushka Sharma shares FIRST photo of Akaay, Vamika to celebrate Virat Kohli’s birthday
CAT 2024 admit card to be out today at iimcat.ac.in; know release time, steps to download
Vikas Divyakirti UPSC Tips: Check strategy to crack IAS exam, aspirants should study for...
Video of Pakistani man putting hand into chained tiger's mouth goes viral, social media reacts
Shalini Passi reveals her husband's connection to Shah Rukh Khan's wife Gauri Khan, they were..
SC upholds validity of UP madrassa law, says it does not violate principle of secularism
US Presidential Elections 2024: What time do the polls close; when will the results be known?
Elon Musk shares controversial post on X amid US election results, video goes viral
Mukesh Ambani's company earned Rs 15393 crore last week, his net worth now stands at...
Chhath Puja 2024: Know about Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, Usha Arghya, date, timings and puja vidhi
Virat Kohli Birthday: Legendary batter turns 36, here's a look at his incredible milestones
When Ratan Tata met his first true love after 50 years, went for dinner together, know who she was
Samantha Ruth Prabhu hits back at trolls who body-shamed her: 'If you guys...'
Two fall prey to Narayana Murthy and Mukesh Ambani's deepfake videos, lose Rs 80 lakh: Report
North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles toward sea ahead of US election
Deepika Padukone romances Hrithik Roshan in Bikini, looks sizzling hot in UNSEEN viral video
Chhath Puja 2024: Top 50 wishes, What'sApp messages, quotes to share with your loved ones
Meet Caroline Emmons, Ratan Tata's 'first love' with whom he couldn't marry due to...
Who is Rohan Jaitley, frontrunner to replace Jay Shah as BCCI secretary?
World’s most expensive human tooth is valued over Rs 3000000, it belonged to…
Viral video: Little girl’s adorable dance to Lisa Haydon’s 'Manali Trance' impresses internet, watch
SC to deliver its verdict on pleas against Allahabad HC order scrapping UP madrasa law today
DNA TV Show: Why Election Commission changed Assembly by-elections' dates
Days after imposing fine on Anil Ambani, Sebi now issues Rs 130 crore demand notices to...
Thailand announces indefinite visa-free entry for Indian travellers
Meet daughter of billionaire, who studied in UK, now works in Rs 32770 crore Indian company as...
MUDA case: Lokayukta police summon Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah for questioning on...
This city is 4000 years old, belongs to bronze age where 500 people lived, it is located in...