If asked for commission, contractors should approach Lokayukta: DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru(PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday suggested that if anyone has demanded commission from contractors to pay their bills, then they should file a complaint with Lokayukta.
His reaction comes a day after the Karnataka State Contractors Association (KSCA) alleged that the menace of commission was now more severe than the previous BJP government.
They claimed that "unseen hands and brokers" were active in the offices of Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar and two other senior Cabinet Ministers.
Responding to these allegations, Shivakumar denied involvement of ministers and said, "If anyone has asked for commission from contractors to pay bills, they should file a complaint with the Lokayukta. Our ministers Satish Jarkiholi and Boseraju are not involved in this."
Interacting with to reporters in vidhana soudha, Deputy CM said, If contractors are asked for commission, they should file a complaint with the Lokayukta. Shivakumar questioned as to why should contractors ask the minister regarding bill payment? "Are they (contractors) not aware of the department's budget? How did they take up the contract when there is no grant?"
"During the BJP tenure, contracts worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore were awarded by my department alone. MLAs are requesting for payment of these contract bills," he said.
He stated that during the BJP government, they had warned the contractors a year in advance before the assembly elections.
"We warned them not to take up any work without funds. However, without listening to us, they are now issuing letters of request for payment of bills through political leaders," he added.
On Thursday, KSCA president R Manjunath said "brokers" were active in Shivakumar's office and he also alleged interference by one relative of Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi in the affairs concerning his department.
He further claimed that Minor Irrigation Minister NS Boseraju's son (Ravi Boseraju) "makes all the deals".
While Shivakumar asked the contractors to lodge a complaint in writing, Boseraju and Jarkiholi have denied the allegations.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Dakshina Kannada Congress leaders criticise State Home Minister during Mangaluru visit
Mangaluru: State Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara faced sharp criticism from leaders within the Dakshina Kannada District Congress during his visit to Mangaluru on Saturday morning.
Dr. Parameshwara had arrived in the city to review the recent law and order developments in the district. While he was listening to party workers' grievances at the Circuit House in the presence of District In-Charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, several Congress leaders voiced strong dissatisfaction.
Leaders including K.K. Shahul Hameed, former Mayor K. Ashraf, and Suhail Kandak alleged that despite the Congress being in power, injustices against Muslims continue. They accused the state police department of operating in alignment with right-wing forces and expressed concern over the increasing number of attacks and attempted murders targeting Muslims.
Sources indicate that the Home Minister assured the party leaders that appropriate action would be taken in response to their concerns.
