K'taka: FIR against contractor who wrote to PM Modi alleging demand of commission by govt officials
Koppal: Gangavathi Rural Police on Friday booked a contractor who wrote to PM Modi alleging that commission was being demanded from him by government officials to release his pending amount.
The contractor, identified as Yerriswamy released a video wherein he claimed that he was booked by Gangavathi Rural Police under section 406 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Yerriswamy had earlier written to PM Modi alleging that government officials in Karnataka were demanding commission from him for releasing his dues.
He had said that the executive officer and the junior engineer have demanded a 30-40% commission from him as a bribe. He further said that contractors were unable to work with so many bribes.
Contractor Yariswamy had reportedly set up a solid waste management disposal unit. “I had supplied materials for this. They had made a payment of around 4 lakhs. They said go ahead with work, and we won't trouble you. But later, they asked me to pay them a percentage.” He wrote in the letter to PM Modi.
“I said no, clear my payment and I'll finish the work. So, they stopped me and they themselves put a roof on the disposal unit,” said Yariswamy.
He said, “Initially they said no commission was required and told me to finish the work fast. Later, when the payment was being released, they asked for a percentage. How do I trust them? The Executive Officer and Junior Engineer asked for money.”
“I've sent an initial 12,000 through phone pay and 20,000 in cash. They are troubling me. They are demanding a 30% bribe and the total commission comes to 40%,” said the contractor.
The officials reportedly filed a complaint against the contractor over the allegations following which the contractor has been booked by the cops under section 406 of IPC.
This comes after contractor Santosh Patil died by suicide alleging officials in Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) ministry were taking bribes to release funds for projects.
Contractor Santosh Patil, who had accused Karnataka BJP minister KS Eshwarappa of corruption, was found dead in a lodge in Udupi city on Monday, April 11.
#BREAKING #FIR regd by gangavathi rural police against #contractor Yerriswamy who wrote letter to @PMOIndia complaining that #Commission is being demanded by govt officials to release his amount. Cops inform based on complaint 4m CEO- FIR regd under IPC 406. Investigation is on pic.twitter.com/ev5flAC3TD
— Imran Khan (@KeypadGuerilla) May 13, 2022
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.
KSDL invites innovative technology to check sandalwood theft
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has invited farmers, scientists and organisations to come up with innovative technologies to prevent sandalwood theft in the state.
The state-owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), which manufactures Mysuru Sandal Soap has also planned sandalwood cultivation, state Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil said on Thursday.
"In a bid to promote sandalwood cultivation, the KSDL has planned a major initiative. As part of it, farmers, scientists, and organisations possessing information on advanced equipment or innovative technologies to prevent sandalwood theft have been invited to approach KSDL and share the details," Patil said in a statement.
Those interested in this initiative will be given an opportunity to demonstrate such technologies before the organisation, the minister said, adding if the proposed solutions are found suitable and effective, steps will be taken for consideration and implementation.
Patil stated that the cost involved in deploying technologies aimed at preventing sandalwood theft would be borne by KSDL.
Further, with a view to encouraging sandalwood cultivation, four farmers who have supplied the highest quantity of sandalwood to KSDL will be honoured with awards on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar on June 4, he said.
On the same occasion, police personnel and forest officials who have made notable progress in apprehending sandalwood thieves and registering cases, along with members of the public who have provided credible information leading to such action, will also be recognised and rewarded, the minister added.
Patil observed that farmers cultivating sandalwood trees on their lands have been facing increasing threats due to theft in recent years. Illegal felling and theft of sandalwood trees have continued for decades.
Although stringent laws are in place to curb such activities, the number of cases resulting in convictions remains very low, he noted.
"In this context, it becomes the responsibility of the organisation to extend both legal and technical support to farmers and encourage them to take up sandalwood cultivation on a larger scale," he said.
According to him, over the past three years, KSDL has procured 174.5 metric tonne of sandalwood directly from farmers across the state and transferred Rs 6.08 crore to their respective accounts.
