Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Has Rs 20 Crore Air Travel Bill In 3 years

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is already facing the heat after landing into trouble because of his son allegedly being involved in two scams. To further escalate his embarrassment, a report has surfaced revealing that the 67-year-old politician has spent Rs 20 crore from the state exchequer on his official air travel for the last three years.

Such a revelation comes at a time when Karnataka is reeling under the woe of severe drought. After coming to power in 2013, till now Siddaramaiah stands in the first position when it comes to expenses related to air travel. Next is Industries Minister RV Deshpande at Rs 54 lakhs followed by veteran actor-turned-politician MH Ambarish (Housing Minister) at Rs 39.91 lakhs followed by Forest, Ecology & Environment Minister B Ramanath Rai at Rs 33.50 lakhs.

All the air travel expenses have been listed under “official work”. Social activist Bheemappa Gadad has gathered the information under RTI and has demanded an investigation into the same.

At a time, when the state is fighting the heavy distress of droughts, the ministers could have used trains and cars instead of planes and helicopters to travel within the state.

However, Siddaramaiah has not responded till now over these revelations.

The Logical Indian appeals the government to conduct an appropriate probe into the matter. When the residents of the state are not getting sufficient water for themselves, such huge expenses incurred by the ministers on air travels are not acceptable.