BENGALURU: The Siddaramaiah cabinet Friday gave its seal of approval to form an SIT to investigate allegations by civil contractors that the previous BJP govt took 40% kickbacks to clear contracts. The decision comes a few days after a commission led by Justice Nagamohan Das submitted its report to the govt on projects sanctioned by the then BJP govt.
Justice Das had examined 3 lakh projects and found irregularities in 1,729 of them. Karnataka law minister HK Patil said the SIT will have two months to submit its report to govt before it is placed before the cabinet, adding it will examine all projects sanctioned during the BJP regime.
“The report (by Justice Das) endorses claims of irregularities,” Patil said, adding funds released by the BJP govt were often more than sanctioned amount, no objection certificates were issued out of turn, and there was interference in the tendering process. Although Justice Das’ report runs into 2,000 pages, Patil acknowledged there were gaps. Justice Das himself had said complainants failed to produce substantial evidence to prove the 40% bribe charge.
The SIT move also appears to acknowledge fresh allegations by KSCA that corruption has worsened under the current govt, with kickbacks rising to 50%. BJP, now in opposition, has seized on these remarks calling it “200% correct”.
