Farmers have no money to clear their loan but K’taka Speaker spends Rs 68 lakh on renovation
- Speaker Koliwad’s swanky new office was inaugurated on Thursday
- State has record number of farmers’ suicides – over 1,000 ended lives
- Even Council Chairperson’s office was upgraded at Rs one crore
FollowWorse, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ruled out waiving off farmers' loan in his recent budget. Farmers are in dire straits in Karnataka.
But, our netas seem to be immune to their plight. For, State Assembly Speaker KB Koliwad has renovated his new office in Vidhana Soudha at a cost of Rs 68 lakh.
The swanky new office boasts of high-end furniture, LED TV and other comforts. It is learnt that of Rs 68 lakh, 50 per cent was spent on wood work, reports Kannada Prabha.
The new office was inaugurated on Thursday by Legislative Council chairperson DH Shankaramurthy.
"Renovation was taken up as per the law. I have not hid anything. Tender was invited to take up the task," Koliwad told mediapersons.
Defending his decision to renovate, Koliwad claimed that since he assumed the office, he has not appointed staff for 'miscellaneous' needs and removed 'unnecessary' posts.
Speaker Koliwad is also the chairman of Commonwealth Association and he has meetings with delegates, often. He was in need of a "good-looking and large room" to meet them, claimed officials in Vidhana Soudha.
"Council Chairman Shankarmurthy had spent Rs one crore to upgrade his office. But we have spent only Rs 68 lakh. Besides, renovation was taken up before drought was reported in the state. So, how's it linked to drought," Koliwad shot back.
