No meaning in allegations, complain to Lokayukta with evidence: CM Bommai to contractors association
CM Bommai dismisses 40% commission charges by contractors’ association
Bengaluru, Aug 24: Trying to question the credibility of the "40 per cent commission" charge against his government by the state contractors association as it was made after meeting the Leader of Opposition, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday said there is no meaning to such claims.
Any baseless statement will be nothing but motivated, Bommai said, adding that he would advise the association to give a complaint to the Lokayukta if there is anything specific with evidence.
"First of all, the association headed by D Kempanna is not the only association of contractors. It is one among several other such associations. Secondly, there is no meaning in his allegations. It should be noted that he has spoken after meeting (Leader of Opposition) Siddaramaiah," Bommai said in response to a question regarding the allegations.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, following the concerns raised by the association last time, the government had made certain orders, and even going a step ahead as it constituted a tender scrutiny committee headed by a retired judge, which no other state has done.
"If they have any specific complaint, they can go before the Lokayukta and give a complaint. The Lokayukta has full freedom, it will investigate and we will take strict action against the guilty if any," he added.
An association delegation led by its President D Kempanna on Wednesday met Congress leader Siddaramaiah, after which the former alleged that the whole system was corrupt and accused ministers and MLAs of demanding a percentage in commission.
Kempanna said the association would be writing another letter to the Prime Minister in this regard and that it will continue its fight demanding an independent judicial probe.
The association president even specifically charged the Kolar district in-charge Minister (Munirathna), without taking his name, accusing him of threatening officials to collect and get the money.
Responding to a question on Kempanna specifically pointing at the Kolar district in-charge Minister (Munirathna), the Chief Minister said, "Whoever it is, with specific case and incident along with evidence, let them give a complaint, and it will be investigated."
Regarding the association stating that they will write a letter to the Prime Minister, Bommai said everyone has the right to write a letter to the Prime Minister, but other than that there is a system in place to investigate corruption.
"After the recent court order (High Court), Lokayukta is fully independent, there are judicial officers there. Let them give a complaint, it will be investigated," he added.
The association had earlier written a letter to the Prime Minister in this regard in July last year.
In their letter to Modi, the association had claimed "harassment" by ministers, elected representatives and others, accusing them of demanding up to 30 per cent of the tender amount for approving a contract, and 5-6 per cent towards release of 'Letter of Credit' against pending bills.
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Two arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting woman at knifepoint in Kochi
Kochi (PTI): Two persons have been arrested after a three-member gang allegedly sexually assaulted a woman at knifepoint near Ernakulam Junction Railway station, officials said on Friday.
The arrested accused were identified as Danish (26), a native of Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram district, and Rahul (39), a native of Paravoor in Kollam district.
Police officials said they were searching for the prime accused, Sanjay, a native of Aroor in Alappuzha district.
According to police, the incident occurred on the night of May 5 when the victim was chatting with her friend near a closed hotel near Ernakulam Junction Railway station.
Officials said the accused approached them, attacked the victim’s friend and then allegedly threatened the woman with a knife before sexually assaulting her.
Police said the accused also allegedly disrobed the victim during the attack.
However, the woman managed to escape from the spot and approached a nearby shop for help.
Police were informed immediately and shifted the victim to the police station.
Officials said the accused were heavily drunk at the time of the incident and went into hiding soon after the attack.
Police registered a case on May 6 under charges including rape, disrobing a woman, criminal intimidation and robbery.
The two accused were later arrested in the city, while efforts are continuing to trace Sanjay, police said.
The accused were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.
