Stringent action to be taken against middlemen in KIADB: Minister M B Patil
Bengaluru, July 23: Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil on Sunday warned that stringent action will be taken against those seen negotiating as middlemen or agents in Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) main office and zonal offices.
The Minister said, in a press release, that it has been observed some persons are seen loitering around the premises of the KIADB main office and zonal offices and action will be taken to discourage the movement of such people around the offices.
On Patil's directions, a circular has been issued stating that any person who is entitled to seek compensation for losing their land and those who have been allotted plots or their authorised legal representatives can directly submit their applications or grievances to the officers concerned. They have been asked not to encourage any middleman or agent in this regard.
''It has been warned that complaints will be lodged against those who try to negotiate as middlemen or agents. Strict action will also be taken against such officers/staff if they are found to be hand in glove with middlemen or agents,'' the statement said.
It added that it has also been directed to display the circular compulsorily on the notice board at KIADB offices to spread public awareness.
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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.
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