Karnataka Minister Defends Land Allotment to Rahul Kharge's Trust

Karnataka's Industries Minister M B Patil defended the allocation of a Civic Amenity plot to Rahul Kharge's educational trust at Aerospace Park. He dismissed BJP MP Lahar Singh Siroya's allegations of nepotism, explaining that the land was allotted for establishing an R&D center, adhering to KIADB norms.

Karnataka's Industries Minister M B Patil on Monday defended the allocation of a Civic Amenity (CA) plot to an educational trust run by Rahul Kharge, son of AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge, at Aerospace Park. The allotment was made at a prescribed price in accordance with existing norms, Patil stated.

The Minister's statement came in response to allegations from BJP MP Lahar Singh Siroya, who questioned the legitimacy of the Kharge family's eligibility for the KIADB land. Siroya speculated about potential misuse of power, nepotism, and conflict of interest. Patil, however, dismissed these claims, clarifying that Rahul Kharge, an IIT graduate, plans to establish a Research and Development (R&D) Centre on the plot. The Kharge family has been actively engaged in educational activities for many years.

Refuting the opposition's claims, Patil emphasized that the CA plot was allocated following recommendations from the State-level Single Window Committee without any rule violations or discounts. He further highlighted a new 24.10% reservation for Scheduled Castes in CA plot allotments, introduced under his tenure.

(With inputs from agencies.)