Bengaluru: It was reported that the Deewali gift hampers which were sent to reporters and editors of news organisations from the Karnataka Chief Minister's office contained cash up to 2.5 lakh, upon which CM Basavaraj Bommai found himself in trouble.
The News Minute reports quoted three journalists who confirmed to have found the money in the gift hampers which were meant for them from the CM's office and two of them returned the cash.
One of the reporters whose names were withheld in the report claimed that he had also sent a note to the CM expressing his dissatisfaction over the matter, saying he had never encountered such a situation in his long journalistic carrier.
According to the journalists TNM spoke to, the money differed for chief reporters and editorial heads. One journalist said that the range was between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 3 lakh. It is unclear how many journalists this cash hamper was given to and how many returned it. Meanwhile, reports have emerged of a Minister in the Karnataka government having distributed gold coins to select journalists.
Journalists were unaware of the number of fellows who found cash in the gift hamper and nor how many of them returned but it was sure the amount was varied to chief reporters and editorials heads from Rs 1 lakh and Rs 3 lakh.
Meanwhile, reports have emerged of a Minister in the Karnataka government having distributed gold coins to select journalists.
The Karnataka Congress took to Twitter on Friday evening to question the Chief Minister over the allegations. "It is known that a journalist has upheld journalism by returning a Rs 2.5 lakh bribe given by the Chief Minister's office. This incident is proof that Karnataka journalists will not allow the sanctity of journalism to be threatened. The Chief Minister must answer why journalists were given a bribe," the tweet by the Congress party read.
Meanwhile, one of the editors who got the gift said his query to the CM about the cash was replied with a denial of happening with his knowledge. CM Basavaraj Bommai was quoted as saying he was unaware of the cash in the gift hampers which were delivered by his staff member.
Two editors had written to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai about the cash found along with sweets sent to the media offices. "We expressed our disapproval and condemnation," the editor said.