Bengaluru: Opposition Leader in Legislative Assembly R. Ashok has alleged that, large scale irregularities amounting up to Rs. 900 crore is suspected to have occurred in the Excise Department, that demands the resignation of Excise Minister R.B. Thimmapur and the intervention of Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Addressing the media here on Wednesday, Ashok said, earlier rowdies were collecting hafta in Bengaluru, but now Excise Minister Thimmapur is collecting Rs. 18 crore hafta every week, shying even the rowdy elements, which amounts to total Rs. 900 crore in a year. In its letter, the Federation of Wine Merchants Association, Karnataka, has explained about the rate of bribe to be paid for every officials in the Department. There is also a mention of bribe paid to the officer in Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Personal Assistant (PA) and Personal Secretary (PS).

“When BJP Government was in power, they cried foul alleging 40 percent commission, but failed to provide any evidence to support their allegations. Now, if the Congress Government is ready to paste the posters about corruption, I will also join them,” said Ashok.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claims that his life is an open book, but there are more of black marks. He should feel ashamed to face the probe from the Police Officer, who works under him. Moreover, it is surprising that the time of interrogation was also fixed and how is it possible? asked Ashok.

Rudranna, the Second Divisional Assistant (SDA) at the Tahsildar’s Office in Belagavi, who allegedly committed suicide in office had sent a message in a WhatsApp group, before taking the extreme step. But still, the senior officials ignored the message. Like how Chandrasekharan, Accounts Superintendent of Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Limited ended his life, leaving behind a death note exposing large scale corruption, Rudranna had also sent a message before his death, calling for a fight against corruption. Even in the case of PSI Parashuram of Yadgir district, no arrests have been made after his death. Rudranna’s case is expected to meet the same fate, alleged Ashok.

He demanded the CM to take action against Belagavi District Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar akin to how he flexed his muscles against then RDPR Minister K.S. Eshwarappa, who was forced to resign from the Ministry.