Include 60 per cent commission charge against K'taka govt in SIT probe: Basavaraj Bommai
Bengaluru, Apr 12 (PTI): The Karnataka Cabinet’s decision to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe 40 per cent commission allegations against the previous BJP government drew a sharp response from saffron party leader Basavaraj Bommai, who on Saturday demanded that graft charges against the Congress-led government also be brought under the SIT’s purview.
He urged that the SIT should investigate the 60 per cent commission allegations levelled against the present dispensation over the past two years, citing accusations made by various contractor associations.
His remarks came a day after the cabinet announced the SIT probe based on the Justice Nagmohan Das Commission’s report.
The one-man inquiry commission, constituted under the retired High Court judge to investigate the charges of a ‘40 per cent commission’ in civil works carried out during the BJP's tenure in the state, had submitted a 20,000-page report to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah last month.
Asked about the state government's decision, Bommai told reporters here that a commission had already been formed to look into the "false propaganda" regarding the 40 per cent corruption allegations.
He demanded that the contents of that commission’s report be made public.
"Why is this government trying to cover things up? In the past two years, there have been allegations of 60 per cent corruption against this government. That should also be included in the SIT investigation," Bommai said.
The former Karnataka CM pointed out that public works, excise, and electrical contractors’ associations have openly alleged that 60 per cent corruption is prevalent in the current government.
He added that the probe must also include allegations from the BJP's time in office.
"Political opponents spread false allegations against us, but where is the evidence? Now, CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar are saying that people should file complaints with the Lokayukta if commissions are being demanded. Even during the BJP's tenure, we said the same—but no one came forward with complaints," he said.
Responding to allegations that payments for completed works are being withheld based on seniority, Bommai claimed that the government didn’t have the funds to pay for completed projects.
"That’s why, even though tenders have been awarded, contractors are hesitant to take up the work," he alleged.
Bommai further alleged that the Congress government and CM Siddaramaiah are indulging in "caste census politics".
"Even before conducting the survey, they should have officially declared it a caste census. Instead, they disguised it as a socio-economic survey and collected caste-related data," he claimed.
He added that while the chairman of the Backward Classes Commission submitted the report, neither the secretary nor other commission members signed it.
"Now, another chairman has submitted a whitewashed version of the report," he alleged.
"If this government truly cares about the backward classes, they should make the report public and reveal what plans they have for their welfare," he said.
Bommai also recalled that the government had said the cabinet would discuss the issue, but it has now been postponed to the next cabinet meeting.
"They’re forming yet another cabinet subcommittee to study it," he said.
"The Chief Minister is merely talking about how backward communities won't fill anyone’s stomach. For the last three to four years, he’s been playing politics with this issue. Siddaramaiah is not committed. Where there is no commitment, a committee is formed," Bommai alleged.
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China asks Iran to ensure freedom of navigation through Strait of Hormuz
Beijing (PTI): Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has asked Iran to ensure freedom and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a first such call issued by Beijing ever since Tehran started to put a squeeze on the critical waterway in the midst of its war with the US.
Wang has sought guarantees of freedom and safety of international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in a phone call with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday.
Wang’s call coincided with a Pakistan mediation delegation headed by Field Marshal Asim Munir reaching Tehran on Wednesday to discuss new peace proposals for a second round of talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad.
China, a close ally of Iran and the largest importer of Iranian oil, was also concerned over the energy crisis accentuated by the US blockade of the Strait, preventing ships from carrying oil and gas from Iran's ports.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital 55-km-wide maritime choke point between Iran and Oman, managing roughly 20 per cent of global oil trade.
Opening of the Strait was the second most important demand by US President Donald Trump, besides halting Iran's nuclear energy.
"The current situation has reached a critical stage of transition between conflict and peace, and a window for peace is opening,” Wang told Araghchi, according to a statement by the Chinese foreign ministry.
Wang said Iran, as a coastal state of the Strait of Hormuz, should have its sovereignty, security and legitimate rights and interests respected and safeguarded.
"At the same time, the freedom and safety of international navigation through the strait should also be ensured, and efforts to restore normal transit through the strait are a shared call of the international community,” he said.
Araghchi said Tehran expected China to play an active role in promoting peace and ending the conflict, and that Iran was willing to continue seeking a rational and realistic solution through peaceful negotiations, Hong Kong based South China Morning Post reported.
The US blockade followed an initial round of talks in Islamabad over the weekend that had aimed at permanently ending the conflict but failed to produce an agreement, with divisions remaining over thorny issues, particularly Iran’s nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz.
The Chinese foreign ministry on Tuesday sharply criticised the US blockade as “dangerous and irresponsible”, saying it risked escalating tensions and undermining the shaky ceasefire.
