40 per cent commission charges are baseless and politically motivated: CM

Bengaluru, Aug. 25: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai termed 40 per cent commission charges as ‘politically motivated’ since it has been made without evidences.

Asked by reporters in Vidhana Soudha here on Thursday about Leader of the Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah’s demand for an inquiry into 40 per cent commission charges, he said charges must be specific and accompanied with evidences. Without this only baseless press statements are made.

Approach Lokayukta
Bommai said there is an autonomous institution called Lokayukta to probe such cases. Recently, as per directions from the Karnataka High Court the powers of Anti-corruption Bureau had been given to Lokayukta. Everyone has power to give complaint against anybody in that institution. But, politically motivated statements are issued. Kempanna’s Contractors’s Association was not alone as there are Associations’ of Contractors who are executing the works of BBMP, PWD and other organisations. But everybody have understood the motive of the media statements after meeting Siddaramaiah.

They say MLAs of all parties are involved in corruption. If this scandal had prevailed in the previous government why it did not come to light, he questioned.

Total transparency
He said a total transparency and seniority are strictly observed by clearing the pending bills. There are number of Contractors Association and strict instruction is given of not giving more than five per cent contract to any Association. The bills of small contractors are cleared.

The government has brought in transparency and seniority while cleaning the bills. Their demands of small packages have been agreed and issued order. Despite doing all these things still they are making charges, what does it mean?

“Let them disclose the name officer who is not following rules. Why they did not reveal the names? Yesterday they have disclosed the name. Already, Minister Muniratna has said that he will file a defamation suit and also file a complaint. So, action will be initiated”, he said.

Give evidence
Reacting to Congress leaders statements, the CM shot back, ” did they get all the cases probed while the Congress Party was in power? Are they Sathya Harishchandras? This is a clear cut case of politically motivated statements. Without any basis the Contractors are working like politicians. ” I told the same thing to Kempanna when he met me. He was asked to give evidences. All their demands are met. Our government issued order when they said tender must not be over Rs One crore n taluk level as it will be very big and increase in estimate too. To check this tense scrutiny committee headed by a retired judge has been constituted. The tender document will be fully scrutinised before preparing estimate. The committee will also vet tender rules. An utmost translation followed and contractors must make use of the same”.

On a question about revival of the Madrassas by Primary Education Minister B.C.Nagesh, the CM said the demand for the reforms of Madrassas has come from them and based on which the minister has convened a meeting.

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