Practice of 40 per cent kickbacks continues under Cong govt: Karnataka contractors
Bengaluru, Feb 8: Karnataka State Contractors' Association president D Kempanna on Thursday alleged that the practice of 40 per cent kickbacks on government contracts continues even under the Congress regime. Accusing officials in the state government of rampant corruption, he said, earlier (during the previous BJP regime) public representatives were demanding bribes, now it's their turn.
"Corruption is on in Karnataka by the officials. Till now no MLA, MP or Minister has asked us for money. Earlier MLAs used to ask for a specified amount to give us a contract for work, that is not the situation now. Now the officials come and ask -- give money, if you want work," Kempanna said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "When we ask as to whom the money should be given, they (officials) say -- why do you want it (to know)? If you want the work, give money."
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The Association had under the leadership of Kempanna earlier alleged "harassment" by ministers, elected representatives and others during the previous BJP regime, accusing them of demanding 40 per cent commission for awarding contracts and clearing bills, and had even written a letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard..
During the 2023 Assembly polls, the Congress had made the Association's charge a major campaign issue to dub the BJP as being "corrupt". This was seen as one of the key factors that led to BJP's debacle in the elections.
Asked to reveal the identity of the officials who were demanding bribes, Kempanna said, "I'm already facing five defamation cases, so I don't want to reveal the names of the officials as of now."
"Such officials are there in all the departments," he said. " (some) officials are very worst, they are corrupt officials, whether it is in BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) or PWD (Public Works Department) or Irrigation department. The arrogance of officials has reached its height, we are fighting against it."
Asked how much commission is being demanded now, Kempanna, who had levelled the 40 per cent kickbacks charge against the previous BJP government, said: "the same 40 per cent commission has continued, because of officials."
"If officials are not controlled, the government in no way will get a good name....officials seem to be controlling things," he added.
"Package system" is being followed to take up projects in all departments, Kempanna said. "This is being done with the intention to keep away local contractors and favour contractors from neighboring states. Due to the package system, local, small-medium contractors of the state are facing problems as they are not getting the work."
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Maharashtra sets up state vaccination task force to strengthen immunisation programme
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has set up a State Vaccination Task Force to strengthen the regular immunisation programme and review the progress of related campaigns, a health department official said on Monday.
The State Vaccination Task Force will comprise at least 29 members and will be headed by the administrative head of the health department, he informed.
The government has also constituted separate district-level and municipal vaccination task forces to improve implementation and address challenges at the grassroots level, he said.
Municipal task forces, chaired by respective civic commissioners, have been constituted in view of the vast urban population in Maharashtra and the role of civic bodies in implementing different health programmes.
The district-level task forces will function under the chairmanship of collectors.
"Complete immunisation of children at the appropriate age is an extremely simple, cost-effective and highly effective measure to reduce child mortality and the prevalence of diseases among kids. Immunisation is a powerful tool for reducing illness in children," maintained the official.
To ensure full vaccination of all children, the state government implements various campaigns from time to time as per the central government guidelines, he pointed out.
"Active participation and cooperation of other relevant government departments are essential (in making these campaigns successful)," according to the official.
The state-level body will review the regular immunisation programme, associated campaigns and vaccine-preventable diseases in detail. It will also conduct focused assessments of high-risk districts and municipal corporations, including vacancies at district, municipal and sub-district levels, availability of cold chain equipment, resource gaps and training requirements, he noted.
The state task force will review allocation and utilisation of funds for immunisation and ensure timely action by officers concerned based on reports from district and municipal task forces and state-level monitoring mechanisms, the official said.
It will also ensure active coordination and participation of other government departments in immunisation drives, while district and municipal task forces will carry out similar functions at their respective levels, the official added.
