Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 12: In a significant development, the Karnataka government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to delve into allegations of large-scale irregularities and kickbacks—popularly referred to as the "40 per cent commission"—linked to the previous BJP administration.
The decision follows the submission of a detailed report highlighting financial discrepancies in various public works. The matter was taken up at a Cabinet meeting on Friday, where initial discussions took place. However, ministers agreed that deeper deliberations would be necessary going forward.
Briefing the media, minister H K Patil revealed that the report was based on complaints received from contractors and the public. “Out of three lac public works undertaken, 1,729 projects were flagged for suspected irregularities. Issues ranged from flawed project planning to irregularities in fund disbursal and Letter of Credit processing,” he said.
According to him, some bills surpassed the sanctioned amounts, while others showed signs of procedural manipulation, including alleged involvement of intermediaries in the tender process. In view of the seriousness of the findings, the Cabinet gave the green signal for forming an SIT, which has been directed to submit its findings within two months.
The Cabinet also reviewed concerns related to the controversial Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) Road project. The matter is currently being heard in the Supreme Court and high court, and the government said a single meeting would not suffice to decide the project’s future, given the legal implications.
A dedicated Cabinet sub-committee, to be formed by chief minister Siddaramaiah, will now study the NICE issue in depth. One of the main concerns discussed was the NICE company’s alleged attempt to sell 1,699 acres of land to third parties.
Meanwhile, as the Congress government moves ahead with investigations into alleged corruption under its predecessor, it finds itself fending off similar accusations.
Recent claims by contractors allege that Congress ministers, too, are seeking commissions to clear pending bills. Deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar addressed these concerns head-on, stating that anyone facing such demands should immediately file a complaint with the Lokayukta.
Dismissing the allegations against ministers Satish Jarkiholi and N S Boseraju, Shivakumar also questioned why contractors were approaching ministers instead of following departmental procedures. “If funds are unavailable, how were these projects initiated?” he asked.
He pointed out that contracts worth over Rs 1 lac crore were awarded during the BJP’s term under just one department. “We had cautioned contractors a year before the elections not to undertake projects without approved funding. Yet, they chose to proceed. Now they’re seeking bill clearance through political channels,” he said.
The Congress had made the ‘40 per cent commission’ issue a central part of its Assembly election campaign against the BJP. The formation of the SIT marks a major step in addressing those claims, even as the current government faces scrutiny of its own.