This is the first time the contractors' body has flagged such corruption allegations against the Congress government in writing. For months, KSCA has been urging the Congress government to clear pending bills worth over ₹32,000 crore.
Published Sep 28, 2025 | 6:40 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 28, 2025 | 6:40 PM
The KSCA reminded Siddaramiah that the association’s fight against corruption during its 2023 campaign helped contribute to the party’s ascent to power in the state.
Synopsis: The Karnataka State Contractors’ Association has alleged that corruption in the state has doubled under the ruling Congress compared with the previous BJP administration. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the association claimed that projects are being subcontracted by party supporters who demand kickbacks and that pending bills remain largely unpaid. BJP leaders have seized on the claims to criticise the Congress, citing them as an example of the grand old party’s alleged systemic corruption.
The Karnataka State Contractors’ Association (KSCA) has written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, alleging that corruption under the Congress-led government has doubled compared with the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.
In 2023, KSCA had levelled the infamous “40 percent commission” allegations against the then Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government—a charge vehemently denied by the saffron party—and one widely attributed to have been a major factor in its defeat in that year’s assembly elections.
In a scathing letter dated 25 September, the same association alleged that the commission has now doubled under Siddaramaiah’s government.
“When you (Siddaramaiah) were leader of the opposition, you told us that after you come to power, no commission (kickback) would be sought by your government to clear pending bills. We regret to inform you that the commission has doubled now compared with the previous government,” the letter, signed by President R Manjunath and General Secretary GM Ravindra, reads.
This is the first time the contractors’ body has flagged such corruption allegations against the Congress government in writing. BJP leaders have already intensified their attack on the Congress, claiming that “the only thing Congress does with efficiency is corruption.”
“This is the sorry state of affairs. For every ₹100 meant for development, ₹50 is looted by ministers. With only half the funds left—and even that uncertain of release—contractors are pushed to cut corners, use substandard material, and compromise on quality. No wonder our roads are crumbling and our infrastructure collapsing,” party president BY Vijayendra said in a post on X.
The controversy comes at a time when the ruling Congress is already facing criticism over Bengaluru’s poor road infrastructure.
For months, KSCA has been urging the Congress government to clear pending bills worth over ₹32,000 crore. In May 2025, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar assured that the dues would be cleared within two months. However, KSCA alleged in its recent letter that they have yet to benefit from the government despite multiple assurances.
“You have been giving us assurances and directing officials to act. Out of our respect for you, we have so far been patient with the hope that you would solve our problem. But until now, we have had no benefit from your government,” the letter reads.
It further alleged that projects under Nirmiti Kendras and Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (KRIDL) have been allotted to “supporters or followers of elected representatives and party workers,” who then hand over the projects to contractors and demand a commission. “It is difficult to ensure quality of work when the projects are subcontracted to us,” the letter said.
The letter also alleged that departments are not following seniority when clearing bills.
“They are deploying their own formula to give special lines of credit (LOC) to contractors, and releasing only 15-20 percent of the pending bill amount once in three months,” it read.
It went on to allege that the departments of Municipal Administration, Urban Development, and Labour are indulging in corrupt tender practices by splitting tenders into packages so they are awarded to powerful contractors of their choice.
“The association has informed the office bearers about this issue several times through letters and verbally, but the concerned ministers and officials are turning a blind eye to it,” the letter said.
KSCA further reminded Siddaramiah that the association’s fight against corruption during its 2023 campaign helped contribute to the party’s ascent to power in the state.
The issue became a prominent plank during the grand old party’s campaign in the run-up to the 2023 assembly elections. They even launched posters captioned “PayCM” with Bommai’s photograph in different parts of Bengaluru.
Two years later, the tables have turned, with Karnataka BJP leaders citing the KSCA’s allegations as an example of the Congress government’s “rampant corruption practices.”
Leader of Opposition R Ashoka alleged that tax money from the labour of Kannadigas has become the Congress high command’s party fund.
“In Karnataka, the CM, DCM, and ministers all commit corruption and receive commissions,” he said in a post on X. “The collection agent of Delhi comes and collects corruption-commission money and uses it for elections in other states.”
Similarly, party president BY Vijayendra claimed that widespread corruption forces contractors to pay nearly 50 percent in bribes and kickbacks just to clear their bills.
“State Contractors Association has revealed that under the Congress government, rampant corruption forces them to pay nearly 50 percent in bribes and kickbacks just to clear their bills,” he wrote in a post on X.
“The people of Karnataka will soon see through this brazen loot and throw this inefficient and inept government out of power for a long time.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
