Hubballi (Karnataka), Dec. 5: Rebutting the Karnataka contractors association that alleges BJP leaders demanded ’40 per cent commission’ to clear bills for government tenders, Union parliamentary affairs minister, Prahalad Joshi on Sunday dared whoever is making such allegation should approach Anti-Corruption Bureau or Lokayukta to probe into these allegations.
Mr Joshi on the sidelines of a campaign trail in Hubballi told reporters that those who are making allegations of ‘40 per cent’ against the BJP must know that their allegations won’t pass any scrutiny as these allegations are mere conspiracy to malign the ruling BJP.
“I agree that the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had made such allegations against the then ruling Congress party in the state, but at that time the BJP had the proof of it. Now whoever is making these allegations are just with the intent of gaining mere political mileage out of it. I double dare if anyone has any slightest proof of any BJP leader demanding ‘40 per cent’ commission, let them approach any investigation agency – Anti Corruption Bureau, Lokayukta or any central agency, I assure them that agency will conduct an thorough and fair inquiry into such allegations,” he said.
The Karnataka State Contractors Association had accused the BJP government, parliamentarians, legislators and officials in the state, of harassing them to pay a commission of up to 40 per cent to clear the government tenders.
The allegations by the contractors association were first made in a letter that the association wrote to the Prime Minister’s Office on 6 July 2021, when former chief minister B. S. Yediyurappa was still in office. The association made this letter public in the last week of November, demanding reprieve from the “continued harassment”.
The letter had alleged that at the taluk level, elected representatives demand five per cent of the tender amount on building constructions and 10 per cent on road works. According to the letter, local registered contractors in Karnataka have to allegedly pay 25 per cent to 30 per cent to elected representatives and others. After completion of works there is harassment to pay five per cent to six per cent towards the release of the letter of credit (LOC) against pending bills, the letter had alleged.
