Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Thursday ordered a probe into alleged irregularities in the Excise Department in Dakshina Kannada district, according to JD(S) leader R Janardhan. Janardhan claimed the Chief Minister told him government would probe the charges and that he had directed officials to submit a report in three days.
Speaking to reporters after submitting a memorandum to Gowda on the ‘irregularities,’ he demanded removal of Excise Minister M P Renukacharya from the ministry, alleging he was hand-in-glove with excise officials and his inaction against corrupt excise officials was causing losses to the exchequer.
He also alleged that the excise officials were ‘extorting’ money from liqour and wine shopowners for no tenable reasons.
However Renukacharya, a loyalist of former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, refuted the charges and said Gowda should have consulted him before taking a decision.
“Gowda should have consulted his cabinet colleague before initiating a probe and asking my officials to submit a report on th issue in three days,” he said.
He claimed excise revenue has gone up and he had tightened administration to curb ‘violations’ by liqour and wine shopowners.