Speaker refers NGO activist case to Privileges Committee

: Karnataka Assembly Speaker Kagodu Thimappa today referred to the Privileges Committee the issue of an NGO leader campaigning against illegal mining and corruption, allegedly targeting certain ruling Congress MLAs by projecting them as "tainted".
S R Hiremath, founder of Samaja Parivartana Samudaya, (SPS), an organisation fighting for environmental and livelihood issues, faced the ire of Congress members for allegedly targeting some of them who were expected to be inducted into the cabinet.
"I am referring this issue of Hiremath targeting certain Congress MLAs to be inducted into the Cabinet to the Privileges Committee for appropriate action," Thimappa said responding to suggestions by Ramesh Kumar and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra here.

The Speaker also directed the Committee to expedite its findings on Hiremath's alleged remarks against "tainted" legislators and submit a report as soon as possible.
Moving a breach of privilege motion against Hiremath, Kumar said he faces no charges in any court and neither the Governor or Chief Minister had objected to him being the MLA.
Kumar urged the Speaker to initiate breach of privilege motion against Hiremath for maligning his image. "This is my fifth term as a legislator.Hiremath has been regularly calling me tainted and has brought ignominy to me and my family. I urge the honourable chair to initiate breach of privilege motion against the civil activist," he added.

Jayachandra said this was the third time Hiremath had given statements against "tainted" legislators not to be included in the Cabinet.
"If such statements are not opposed by legislators, these will be assumed as truth. If we don't take any step to refer it to the privileges committee, it will be difficult for members to work," he said.
Hiremath had reportedly come under severe criticism at the Congress Legislature Party meeting last week here for allegedly targeting certain MLAs to be inducted into the Cabinet. The members also reportedly had urged the government to order a probe into the sources of SPS' funds.