Mangaluru: Kota Srinivas Poojary, the minister for Hindu Religious Organisations, Endowments, and Backward Class Welfare Department, wrote to the Lokayukta police on Friday July 30 requesting a thorough investigation into the allegations made against him for the construction of his new home. The construction cost is estimated to be Rs. 6 crores and netizens have raised allegations against him.
Poojary mentioned in a letter that he served on the Legislative Council for three terms, twice as a state cabinet minister and once as the leader of the opposition. “It is mandatory for a representative to provide Lokayukta with asset details once a year. However, rumours about the house that has been under construction for the past two years are circulating on social media.
He further added, ” the 13-cent land in Giliyaru village of Brahmavar was purchased from my earnings. After obtaining the necessary permission from the gram panchayat, I am constructing the house. The issue of my present house in which I am residing now is before the Supreme Court. I am constructing this house for my family. This new house is constructed at a cost of Rs 60 lac. In this regard, I had availed Rs 35 lac loan from State Apex Bank two years ago. I used to repay the loan from my salary and through my honorarium. Later, I also applied for Rs 40 lac loan from Varamballi branch of SBI in Brahmavar. It is in the process of being sanctioned. As per my knowledge, I have constructed this house from mine and my son’s income who is running a business after his MBA.”
“But, in recent days, a few who are not happy with my public life, have said that a man of simplicity and sincerity is constructing a hut at cost of Rs 6 crore, to put an end to such allegations, I am submitting this memorandum that I have constructed this house with my salary, honorarium and other available facilities from the government and income from my son’s business. Thus, considering all my income and my son’s income, if the cost of my house exceeds the income level, action can be taken against me. If not, action should be taken against those who mislead and spread rumours against me in my public life on social media,” he added.
“Not even a rupee other than my income is used in the construction of this house. Hence, all details of my income have been attached in the letter,” Poojary stated in his letter.
