Offer 'tips' to good officers, says Karnataka minister, lands in soup
HASSAN : Hassan district minister KM Shivalingegowda ’s statement that there is “nothing wrong” if citizens happily give ‘tips’ or ‘honorarium’ to govt officials for timely work has triggered outrage among the public and BJP .
The minister made the comment during ‘ Prajaseva Andolana ’, a public-grievances meet, here Saturday.
Puneeth, a farmer from Alur taluk in the district who was attending the meeting to highlight his land case, condemned the statement in front of the minister. “Officials are paid a salary. Why should we give them tips? Doesn’t this amount to encouraging bribery?” Puneeth and a group of youths questioned the minister directly. With more people backing them, the meeting witnessed chaos.
Sensing the situation going out of hand, Shivalingegowda tried to defend himself. “I meant officials should not extort money. I said honest workers should be respected, not that bribery should be encouraged,” he said.
The minister Sunday clarified: “A person complained that bribe was being sought to get his work done. I told him not to give any money, but to respect the officer. My statement has been misunderstood,” Gowda said.
Deputy commissioner KS Latha Kumari pacified the protesters. “The minister’s statement has been misinterpreted. If officials demand bribes for work, stringent legal action will be taken against them,” she said.
BJP MLC CT Ravi , on his ‘X’ account, condemned the minister for his remarks. Ravi has mentioned that chief minister D K Shivakumar had said that if anyone asks for even Rs 10 as a bribe, complain to him. But ministers of his own govt are saying ‘respectfully give bribes’. “It may be natural for you to receive or give bribes, minister, but not for the people of Karnataka .”
The MLC urged the minister to withdraw the statement and say sorry to the people of the state.
The minister made the comment during ‘ Prajaseva Andolana ’, a public-grievances meet, here Saturday.
Puneeth, a farmer from Alur taluk in the district who was attending the meeting to highlight his land case, condemned the statement in front of the minister. “Officials are paid a salary. Why should we give them tips? Doesn’t this amount to encouraging bribery?” Puneeth and a group of youths questioned the minister directly. With more people backing them, the meeting witnessed chaos.
Sensing the situation going out of hand, Shivalingegowda tried to defend himself. “I meant officials should not extort money. I said honest workers should be respected, not that bribery should be encouraged,” he said.
The minister Sunday clarified: “A person complained that bribe was being sought to get his work done. I told him not to give any money, but to respect the officer. My statement has been misunderstood,” Gowda said.
Deputy commissioner KS Latha Kumari pacified the protesters. “The minister’s statement has been misinterpreted. If officials demand bribes for work, stringent legal action will be taken against them,” she said.
BJP MLC CT Ravi , on his ‘X’ account, condemned the minister for his remarks. Ravi has mentioned that chief minister D K Shivakumar had said that if anyone asks for even Rs 10 as a bribe, complain to him. But ministers of his own govt are saying ‘respectfully give bribes’. “It may be natural for you to receive or give bribes, minister, but not for the people of Karnataka .”
The MLC urged the minister to withdraw the statement and say sorry to the people of the state.
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