Contractors’ Association makes a U-turn, withdraws commission charge against Dy CM Shivakumar

It may be noted that Karnataka State Contractors’ Association president D Kempanna, too, had made a similar allegation, saying some chief engineers were demanding commission on behalf of the minister.

Kempanna said that he would raise the issue before the chief minister and the deputy chief minister. In a surprise move, he, too, went back on the allegation.

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‘Third parties made the charges’

Though Manjunath denied making the charge against the minister, the association’s representation to the Governor told a different story.

“The association has received representations from numerous contractors complaining of the illegal arbitrary stand of the BBMP in refusing to release the payments and we have also been informed that a commission of ‘10 to 15 percent’ is being demanded on behalf of the Minister for Bengaluru Development for the release of payments against bills that are certified and approved for payments,” the second page of the letter submitted to Governor on 8 August, read.

While reiterating that the association had not made the charge, Manjunath said, “Some third persons have made the allegation. The same is being spread everywhere and it has become big news.”

“We have not made any allegation against Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar,” Manjunath told South First.

“Some contractors have alleged that commission is being demanded on behalf of the minister for Bengaluru development. Thus, we had put it in the memorandum that was submitted to the Governor. We have not made any allegations,” he explained the reference to the commission’s demand in the association’s representation.

He said the association has sought an appointment with Shivakumar this week to request the release of the pending dues.

“They cannot withhold our bills till the investigation is completed. The Defect Liability Period is over for the projects that have been carried out around 28 months ago. It will be unscientific to investigate these projects. Hence, we will demand to release the pending bills at the earliest,” Manjunath added.

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Charge and hasty retreat

Speaking to South First earlier, Karnataka State Contractors’ Association’s Kempanna alleged that a 15 percent commission was being demanded on behalf of the minister.

“Some chief engineers are demanding commission on behalf of the ministers. I will raise this issue before the chief minister and ask him to investigate it,” he said.

The next day, he told reporters in Bengaluru that no minister had asked for a commission.

“We have not made any allegations against the government. We have pending dues. No minister has asked for a commission. We have information throughout the state. No contractor made the allegation,” he said.

“Even after three months, the government has not released the payment. Some amount has been released as a partial payment. We will write a letter to the chief minister. We haven’t given a deadline; we must get payment. They pressured us to do the work, but now they must release the payment,” Kempanna urged.

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BJP conspiracy, says Shivakumar

Meanwhile, Shivakumar admitted that the contractors were in distress. “I will not be involved in their matter. However, BJP’s R Ashok, Narayana, Gopalaiah, and CT Ravi, who utilised the contractors, should respond first,” he said.

“Certain MLAs, though they have not undertaken any work, have cleared the bills. We will inquire whether the works have been carried out. We bear the responsibility for the people’s money. Let the truth be revealed. Then, we will provide money to genuine contractors,” he further said.

“Why didn’t the BJP government clear the bills for two years when they were in power? We have set up a committee to investigate whether the works have been carried out or not. Once we receive a report, we will take appropriate steps,” he added.

“The president of the State Contractors’ Association, Kempanna, clearly stated that the Congress government had not demanded any commission. I express my gratitude to them,” he said.

“The members of the BBMP Contractor’s Association, who had written a letter to the Governor, have met me. They mentioned that they worked based on BJP’s instructions and denied making commission allegations against us,” Shivakumar said, claiming that the allegation was part of a BJP conspiracy.

“I have not met with the members of the Karnataka Contractors’ Association. However, those who have carried out the works will receive their dues,” the deputy chief minister said.