House Committee to probe power purchase formed

A House Committee was today formed by Karnataka Assembly to inquire into the sharp rise in the purchase of power and energy-related machineries from 2005 to 2013.
The announcement was made by Speaker Kagodu Thimappa amid pandemonium as BJP members staged a dharna demanding a CBI probe into denotification of 541 acres in Arkavathi layout formed by Bangalore Development Authority.
JDS members had raised the issue and staged a protest in the Well of the House on July 15, demanding a House Committee probe into the issue.
JDS leader Kumaraswamy had accused the previous BJP government of corruption in the purchase of power. Ruling Congress member Basavarajraya Reddy had demanded a white paper on Karnataka's power situation.

Asked about the JDS demand that the probe should begin from 2003-2004 onwards, Energy Minister D K Shivakumar clarified to reporters that no such demand was made by the party during today's meeting, which was convened to discuss the issue. "No such demand came from JDS and other BJP members," he said.