From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Feb 15: In an attempt to beat the enforcement of the model code of conduct in view of the definite indications of announcement of poll schedule by March 7 to 10 for the ensuing assembly polls, the Congress party has alleged that the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP regime is in a tearing hurry to mobilise funds by hurriedly approving short-term tenders without following any norms.
KPCC Chief D K Shivakumar, Congress opposition leader in the assembly, AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal, AICC Secretary Abhishek Dutt, party leaders D K Suresh, Priyank Kharge, Prakash Rathod, Vijay Mulgund and other senior party leaders, who addressed a joint news conference in Bengaluru on Wednesday alleged that they have definite and documentary evidence of tenders for huge amounts of money from Public Works, Rural Development, Minor Irrigation, Energy and all other departments being approved.
The Congress leaders have issued an open warning to all government officials and contractors entering into such corrupt deals at the behest of the ruling party that all the tenders issued by the Bommai regime during the last six months will be cancelled and a comprehensive probe conducted into the alleged irregularities. “We are warning now itself so that the officials and contractors are careful,’’ the said.
Tenders involving amounts of Rs 500 crore is jacked up to Rs 1,000 crore and approved without following prescribed procedures, the Congress leaders said and claimed that some tenders have been cleared in the State Cabinet meeting while several others have been approved with duration of barely 7 days. The ruling BJP legislators have been put in charge of issuing the tenders and open dealing has started with fixed amounts are being demanded from each of the approved tender, they said.
The Congress leaders pointed out that ruling BJP MLA Gulihatti Shekhar has d also levelled similar allegations of rampant irregularities in award of tenders.
Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, Surjewala and other Congress leaders warned that the party will fight against the rampant corruption by the Bommai regime in the award of tenders to loot public funds, and warned the officials and the contractors to be wary and careful as the Congress party after returning to power in the elections will scrap all tenders issued by the government during the last six months and order a comprehensive probe.
The Congress leaders charged that BJP MLAs and even those defeated in the last elections have been entrusted with the responsibility of distributing these tenders, and claimed that those who did not get tenders and some legislators have provided information. “Only those persons who are paying commission and bribes are awarded tenders and their bills are approved,’’ they said.
In Shivaram Karanth layout in the city, tenders have been invited even without land acquisition, they said and pointed out that the government claims that Rs 7,100 crore has been spent on the filling of potholes in the city but the potholes still exist. Did they really fill up and are the roads free of potholes, they asked.
The Congress leaders claimed that Karnataka Milk Federation and different boards and corporations are used for illegal recruitments by demanding Rs 25 to 30 lakh bribe. "We have all the documents and will investigate all the illegal recruitments after the Congress government is formed,’’ they said and urged the State Lokayukta to take up a suo moto case and promised to provide all the documentary evidence.