Bengaluru: A probe commission, which looked into allegations of 40% bribe demand in civil contracts during the previous BJP govt, has reportedly found merit and substance in contractors’ complaints and pointed to “lapses” in cost estimation of modernization works for the main right bank canal of Narayanapura dam in Raichur district in North Karnataka.
The commission, led by retired high court judge Justice HN Nagamohan Das, was appointed by the Congress govt to investigate into 40% commission allegations. The panel submitted two voluminous reports — a 20,000-page report on 40% commission scam and the other, an 8,000-page report on Narayanapura right bank canal works — to CM Siddaramaiah Wednesday.
Senior leaders said the CM is consulting his cabinet colleagues and legal team, as the government considers tabling the report in the ongoing legislative assembly session. A cabinet discussion on the matter is expected on Thursday.
“We’ve done our job with a scientific approach. It is now up to the government to act on the report. The task was so voluminous that we randomly selected the works to scrutinize,” said Justice Das.
The panel was assigned to scrutinise civil works across five departments — public works, minor irrigation, major irrigation, urban development, and rural development and panchayat raj —executed between July 6, 2019, and March 31, 2023. Of the approximately 8 lakh projects under review, 3,500 works have been completed. The commission randomly selected 1,750 completed works for scrutiny with assistance from Bureau of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
There were specific complaints about irregularities in cost estimation of modernisation works for the right bank canal of the Narayanapura dam in Raichur district. The government had earlier dissolved a previous committee, led by retired secretary Sidagangappa, and handed over the probe to the Justice Das commission.
While the panel is believed to have found lapses in the Narayanapura dam right bank canal project, Justice Das declined to disclose details. He, however, told TOI the panel has recommended measures to curb corruption, enhance transparency, and improve administrative efficiency in awarding and executing civil contracts.
Civil Contractors’ Association had urged the govt to abolish the ‘package system’ in contract allocations. The panel has suggested reforms in this regard as well.