BENGALURU: The Karnataka Cabinet on Friday decided to form a special investigation team (SIT) to conduct a further probe into the 40% commission allegation levelled against the previous Bharatiya Janata Party government by the Karnataka State Contractors’ Association, in light of the Justice HN Nagamohan Das Commission inquiry report. The SIT has been directed to complete the probe in two months, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil said.
Asked whether the commission report mentioned 40% commission in awarding work contracts, as alleged by the then opposition Congress against the previous BJP government, Patil maintained that it mentioned bribery. But he hinted that the names of some former ministers featured in the report.
“The commission inspected the works of departments against which complaints were received. The SIT will further dig into the allegations,” he said.
Of the 3 lakh works, the commission examined 1,729 in detail as a sample, he added.
In a few cases, money released was more than the sanctioned grant, and in some others, less money was released, it is alleged.
“In some cases, there is a suspicion whether the work was carried out or not. The commission has informed that both people’s representatives and administrators intervened in the tender process. The Karnataka Cabinet has considered this matter seriously,” he said, adding that SIT will be provided with technical experts.
Cabinet sub-committee to review NICE’s BMICP
The Cabinet also decided to set up a cabinet sub-committee to review the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP). The subcommittee will give its report suggesting to the government whether it should continue with the project that was implemented by former legislator Ashok Kheny’s Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE). In all, 1,699 acres have been acquired for the road project.
HK Patil said that since Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise had moved the High Court and Supreme Court, the technical, legal, and financial aspects should be looked into, and that is why the cabinet sub-committee will be formed, which will submit its report in 2-3 months. It will look into the reports of previous cabinet subcommittees, PAC, House committee, the debates in the legislature, and hundreds of affidavits filed with the Supreme Court, he explained. The CM has been authorised to set up the subcommittee, he added.
Decision on Kateel’s G category site deferred
The decision on former Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament and senior BJP leader Nalin Kumar Kateel to consider and approve the registration of an obsolete sale for the plot number 13/B1, Sector 3, Hosur Sarjapur Road, allotted to him under “G” category by the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) has been deferred.