Siddaramaiah warns party MLA for utterances against IAS officer

Bengaluru, Oct 11: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today took strong exception to a party legislator allegedly abusing and threatening an IAS officer. "After learning about the incident I have seriously advised K Shivamurthy (the legislator) not to indulge in such activities. I am yet to get details. Will act after getting report," the Chief Minister told newsmen when his reaction was asked. It was alleged that Mr Naik was frequently visiting Secretary, Commerce, Mines and Zoology Department, Rajender Kumar Kataria and abusing the officer demanding clearance of his son's application for mining licence. However, Mr Naik, refuted allegations against him of abusing nor threatening the officer. Meanwhile, Mr Kataria has filed a complaint with IAS Officers Association President P Ravikumar, Chief Secretary Subash Chandra Kuntia, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister L K Ateeq and has also brought the issue to the knowledge of the Chief Minister. Mr Kataria alleged that "after yesterday incident, I met the Chief Minister and told him that under these circumstances, it will become difficult for me to discharge my duties. I had the option to lodge a police complaint but I avoided it." Stating that he cannot favour any particular person violating the Supreme Court direction in giving licence for mining, Mr Kataria said that "when the Apex Court is closely monitoring the mining business in Karnataka, it is not possible to favour anybody." In his letter to the Chief Secretary, Mr Kataria said the MLA's son Suraj had applied for grant of ornamental quarry lease in six acres of land in survey number 78 of Siddeshwaranadurga village, Challakere Taluk in Chitradurga district. The application filed by Naik was "ineligible" as per the rules. Mr Kataria alleged the MLA tried to "force" him to get the file cleared from the director of mines and geology and approve it immediately. Mr Kataria said that "He (Mr Naik) also mentioned that he is the government and his orders have to be complied with," the officer said. You are my servant and if you do not listen to my orders, you have to face dire consequences in future." Mr Kataria alleged in his letter that "he has not only abused me before the public, but also stated that I had looted money in this department and I was not willing to do the work of his son over ruling the legal position." Mr Naik, refuting the allegations, he said that he heads the SC/ST Welfare Legislature committee and wanted to meet the officer for the welfare of the underprivileged community. "I went to meet Mr Kataria to impress upon him that there should be reservation for SC/ST in the mining business. There should be at least 25 per cent reservation for us also." Replying to a question, Mr Naik said that his son Suraj's application for mining in six acres of land is secondary. It is about 35 MLAs, 10 MLCs from all the parties and lakhs of people from SC/ST community who have been deprived of our share in the mining business." UNI