News Brief
Karnataka: Contractors' Body Chief Says 40 Per Cent Commission For Public Works Continuing Even Under The Congress Government
(L-R) K Siddaramaiah (Congress), H D Kumaraswamy (JD-S) and Basavraj Bommai (BJP).
The Karnataka State Contractor’s Association (KSCA) President, D Kempanna has said that despite the change in government, the practice of collecting 40 per cent commission for public works persists.
Addressing the media on Thursday (8 February), Kempanna highlighted that while politicians refrain from direct solicitation, it is the officials who demand these cuts.
“No MP, MLA or minister is asking us to pay (commission) but the officials are demanding a cut. Earlier, MLAs used to insist that works would be granted only if we pay them an amount,” Kempanna said.
Refusing to disclose specific names of officials involved in the commission collection, Kempanna cited ongoing defamation battles, stating, "The officials do not disclose the beneficiaries behind these commissions."
The KSCA had previously accused the ruling BJP government of coercing contractors into paying a substantial portion of project costs as commissions.
Corruption charges against the BJP administration were prominently raised by the Congress in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021.
Beyond commission concerns, Kempanna also flagged irregularities in recent tenders issued by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), totaling Rs 300 crore.
Moreover, Kempanna criticized the government's handling of tenders for housing construction projects under the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.
He cited instances where tenders encompassed works from disparate districts, hampering opportunities for local contractors.
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