Home Minister to hold meeting on convicts getting luxury facilities

Home Minister G. Parameshwara will hold a meeting of senior officers to discuss allegations of some convicts getting VIP treatment in jails, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in Davangere on Sunday.

He said that serious legal action will be taken against officials found guilty.

“We have got reports about some prisoners in Parappana Agrahara Jail getting luxury facilities,” he said.

The Home Minister will hold a meeting with senior officials to discuss the issue in Bengaluru on Monday.

“It seems some officials concerned have gone on leave. A meeting is scheduled tomorrow. Serious action will be taken against those who made mistakes and steps will be taken to prevent such things from happening in the future,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after returning from a government programme in Kudligi.

‘Not banning RSS’

Responding to RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat’s statement that the State government is trying to ban RSS events in the State, the Chief Minister said that there is no such attempt by the State government.

“The order issued by us mandates that any organisation or association that wants to organise events should obtain permission from the Deputy Commissioner of the district concerned. But then, we cannot go on responding to every statement made by RSS leaders,” the Chief Minister said.

Taluk and zilla panchayat elections will be held as per a court order, he said in response to a question.

“As of now, the case is before the courts. Once the orders are issued, we will hold polls,” he said.

To a query on the reported reluctance of sugar factory owners to abide by the State government’s decision on paying ₹3,250 per tonne of sugarcane, the Chief Minister said that the decision was taken in their presence and that he is confident that they will pay.

“Every factory must pay the enhanced price of ₹50. Even those who have not paid till now, will pay henceforth,” he said.

“Those who do not pay will face legal action,’’ he added.

“It is a settled fact that the Union government fixes Fair and Remunerative Prices. We are here to see that farmers get remunerative prices for their produce,” he said.

He said that the State government will soon release compensation to an estimated 11 lakh hectares of land damaged in heavy rain in the State.

He said that the issue of representation for the Valmiki community in the State Cabinet will be considered during the reshuffle.