Amid Drought, Financial Crisis, Congress Netas To Get 33 Brand New High-End Cars In Karnataka

Karnataka Congress has landed itself in yet another controversy after placing an order for brand new cars for its ministers. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has already been allotted a Fortuner two months ago.

This time around, 4G clause has been evoked to provide an exemption to place an order of 33 brand new vehicles for the ministers in the Karnataka cabinet. Each worth Rs 30 lakh, the ministers will now be allotted a brand new Hybrid Hycross.

This order dated 17 August from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) has been immediately criticised by the public and the press. Karnataka Congress has already burdened the state exchequer by parting a large sum of money meant for development work to fund its freebies.

Their fourth poll promise, Gruha Lakshmi, was recently launched in Mysuru amid the presence of senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Nearly 75 per cent of Karnataka's 276 talukas are facing a drought in the state. The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government has been facing severe criticism for its lethargic approach to handling the drought situation in the state.

The order from the CMO reads as follows:

"For the 33 new ministers new Innova Hycross-Hybrid vehicles, each worth Rs 30 lakh, which adds up to Rs 9.9 crore, Toyota Kirloskar motor company Bengaluru will be approached directly with the exemption under section 4g of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) act of 1999 for the department of personnel and administrative reforms (DPAR). For good quality services under acceptable rates, the DPAR is vested with the powers to procure them", a report by The Times of India read.

Also read: Review Of The Beginning: The First 100 Days Of Congress Government In Karnataka