Bengaluru: The cabinet Friday gave its seal of approval to form a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate allegations by civil contractors that the previous BJP govt took ‘40% kickback’ to clear contracts. The decision comes in the wake of a commission led by Justice Nagamohan Das submitting a two-volume report on the issue.
The panel led by Justice Das had examined a sample of 1,729 civil works of an estimated 3 lakh projects that were awarded by the BJP govt. Briefing reporters on Friday, HK Patil, law parliamentary affairs minister said the SIT will have two months to submit a report to the govt after which its findings will be placed before the cabinet.
“The SIT will investigate all contracts and not just the 1,729 which Justice Das had examined,” Patil said. He said the cabinet deliberated on Justice Das’ report and agreed on the need for further investigation.
“The report consists of two volumes. It endorses claims of irregularities,” Patil said, adding that funds released by the BJP govt were often more than the sanctioned amount, no objection certificates were issued out of turn, and there was interference in the tendering process.
“The SIT will comprise not just investigators from the police department, but also technical experts and persons with domain knowledge. Since the govt wants a quick resolution, the cabinet decided to fix a two-month time frame,” Patil said.
Although Justice Das’ report runs into 2,000 pages, Patil acknowledged there were gaps. Justice Das himself had said that complainants failed to produce substantial evidence to prove the 40% bribe charge. The SIT move also appears to acknowledge fresh allegations by Karnataka State Contractors’ Association (KSCA) that corruption has worsened under the current govt, with kickbacks rising to 50%. BJP, now in the opposition, has seized on these remarks calling it “200% correct”.
In a letter to chief minister Siddaramaiah, R Manjunath, KSCA president, alleged payments were not being released in order of seniority. “Only influential contractors are being paid… How are the rest supposed to survive?” he wrote.
Patil said: “I don’t want to comment on Justice Das’ remarks on the lack of evidence. All I can say is that the cabinet recognised the need for further investigation.”