From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Aug 8: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has held out a direct warning to contractors, who had written to the State Governor regarding non-payment of bills that he cannot be cowed down by blackmail tactics.
Speaking to media persons near the Kumara Krupa Guest House on Tuesday, he said the bills will be paid to contractors who had done the work entrusted to them properly as per the work orders and action will be taken against others, who had not executed the work or submitted fake and inflated bills.
“I know who is behind which contractor and is responsible for the shoddy work or submission of bogus bills,’’ he said making it clear that he is not afraid of any blackmail tactics.
When reporters asked him about the charge of some contractors that he is demanding money as bribes for clearing bills, Shivakumar said he is not going to answer to all and sundry contractors.
The Deputy Chief Minister declared that he has not demanded money or bribes from anybody. “I know the kind of politics these people are playing and who is behind which contractor. Let them send letters to Governor or even the President of India. They are free to meet even Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I know how to take action against erring contractors. I can’t be frightened by all these threats,’’ he asserted.
To a pointed question on whether he is being pressurised into releasing payments to the contractors, Shivakumar said: “Who can exert pressure on me? I am capable of withstanding any pressure. I am not going to answer all questions or empty threats.’’
When pointed out that the contractors had met JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, he said: "They are free to meet anybody. If we were in the opposition, wouldn’t they have come to meet us? This kind of tactics are quite common.’’
Shivakumar said he is not worried by some section of contractors issuing threats and statements against the Congress government and made it clear that action will be taken against contractors who have not done the work entrusted to them or have submitted fake and bogus bills. Action will be taken against guilty persons as per law, he said.
“Just because some contractors claim that they have executed work and their bills must be cleared, the government cannot release funds. We need to verify and examine all the bills. This kind of work being entrusted on paper and submission of bills on the next day for payment or within a month will not work. I have asked officials to examine and verify all the works,’’ he said declaring that he is not going to interfere on the issue of payment of bills.
He declared that all the contractors who have executed the work as per the work order will be paid in a systematic manner. There is no need to resort to pressure tactics or blackmail attempts, he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said he is not backing out from his charge of 40% commission against the previous BJP regime headed by Basavaraj Bommai and said he is not denying the allegations. “Yes, we have levelled the allegations. Did Bommai order any probe? The Lokayukta has already pinpointed and found out that over Rs 130 crore have been paid without bills. Officials have been suspended. I am not denying the facts. People know the truth,’’ he said.
He explained that there is a procedure for clearing the bills and they cannot be done overnight “Have these people not waited for two or three years for payment of their bills? The budget of Water Resources Department is Rs 600 core for a year. But there are pending bills for Rs 25,000 crore. All these bills need to be checked and there must a physical verification of the work done. The bills cannot be paid merely on submission,’’ he said making it clear that the past practice (by BJP) of payment of bills by demanding commission is gone.
Later, he participated in the meeting convened by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his home office, Krishna, with legislators and ministers of Raichuru district.