Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Mar 28: Karnataka State Contractors Association president, D Kempanna, said that it has been decided to launch an intensified agitation to condemn the government's uncompromising stance on paying 40 percent commission in various works.

He was speaking after taking part in a debate on the shocking scam of 40 percent commission. The programme was organized at the Institute of Agricultural Technologies here on Sunday March 27.

He said that during the last assembly election campaign in the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had termed the then government as ten percent government. He said tha this percentage has now gone up to 40 percent. "We have complained to everyone including the Prime Minister and Chief Minister along with full details. But there is no response. The chief minister is seeking proof for having paid the commission. The MLAs do not give work to contractors who fail to pay 15 percent to them. If an independent inquiry is ordered, we will fully cooperate. For example, Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Corporation has claimed to have executed work worth Rs 25,000 crore. I will be your permanent servant if you can show even 20 percent of this work having been completed," he challenged.

Retired IAS officer, T R Raghynandan, advisor on the eradication of corruption, strongly backed decentralization to bring down corruption. He noted that in the I Paid Bribe website, 85 percent agreed to have paid the bribe while 3 percent said because of honest officials, they could escape from the penalty. As much as 12 percent said they have re used.

Several leaders were present.