Karnataka Speaker's Lavish Chair Replacement Sparks Outrage Amid Budget Cuts
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A ₹42.93 lakh upgrade to the Karnataka assembly speaker's chair and related furniture at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha has sparked outrage among activists and opposition leaders. The project, ordered by Speaker UT Khader in November, aimed to replicate the dais at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru but has been criticized for its high cost, considering the building is used for legislative work only a few days each year.Documents obtained by activist Bhimappa Gadad through the Right to Information Act revealed the expenditure, highlighting the need for more essential services. Gadad pointed out that ₹1.98 lakh was spent to repair the Legislative Council Chair's plywood, frame, and cushioning.In a press conference, Gadad accused the administration of prioritizing non-essential expenses over basic facilities. He noted that many government offices lack separate toilets for women and that students in government schools often sit on the floor despite the weather. The activist also questioned the ₹13.34 lakh spent on artwork inside the building, including seven portraits and a special oil painting for the Anubhava Mantapa.A review by the Karnataka Lalithakala Academy committee found that several portraits did not closely resemble the subjects, prompting the government to approve ₹28.49 lakh in October 2024 to redo the works and an additional ₹25.84 lakh in February this year for installation tasks.Opposition leaders, including former chief minister and Belagavi MP Jagadish Shettar, have questioned the need for such an expensive investment, describing it as a 'dead investment.' Shettar noted that the original furniture was made of teakwood and could last for generations. Concerns have also been raised within the ruling party, with Congress MLA and former government chief whip Ashok Pattan saying that the earlier furniture required no replacement and that the spending has no justification.The government has yet to issue a formal response, but the spending is likely to face further debate when the legislature convenes in Belagavi.
