None have so far given complaint against me in writing: Khader

Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader said he cannot give any reply to allegations of excess spending for Pustaka Mela on Vidhana Soudha premises — apart from the expenditure on installations of smart locks and other things inside MLAs’ rooms at Legislators’ Home — unless the same is put in writing.

Speaking with reporters in Mangaluru on November 25, Mr. Khader said none of the MLAs have so far complained to him about the expenses made by his office.

Recently, Y. Bharath Shetty, Mangaluru City North MLA, and Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, former Legislative Assembly Speaker and Uttara Kannada MP, had accused Mr. Khader’s office of excess spending on the Pustaka Mela, apart from the massage chairs installed in Vidhana Soudha and bedsheets, curtains, smart door locks, smart safe lockers, stainless water purifiers, and smart energy-saving devices installed inside MLA’s rooms at Legislators’ Home.

Denying these accusations, Mr. Khader said silk shawls, each costing ₹25,000, which were given to writers participating in Pustaka Mela, were procured from Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation. Additionally, the handicrafts items were procured by his office from Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation, he added.

He further explained that the massage chairs were installed for free by companies. “MLAs move a lot in cars, which takes a toll on their backs. To provide necessary physical relief, these massage chairs were installed,” Mr. Khader said.