Karnataka witnessed the unimaginable and unprecedented a few months back.
The Karnataka Contractors Association, the apex body of all government contractors with over one lakh members, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state of demanding commission or bribe of up to 40% to award and clear contracts. bill
He even wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office and President Ram Nath Kovind, demanding strict action against some BJP ministers and bureaucrats in the state.
It was an act of courage for the contractors who were always at the mercy of the government.
The president of the association, Kempanna, held several press meetings to expose the government. The issue shook the Karnataka Legislature as well, with the opposition dubbing the BJP government a “government with 40% commission”.
No action was taken and the ruling BJP said there was no corruption in the state.
With the unfortunate death of young contractor Santosh Patil on Tuesday, the focus is once again on the alleged rampant corruption in the state.
Patil, a small-time contractor, allegedly ended his life by leaving behind a note blaming Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister KS Eshwarappa for his death. Eshwarappa has said that it is not his fault.
Before taking the extreme step, Patil had met almost every top BJP leader with a complaint against Eshwarappa. He had a press meet and also sent a letter to PM Modi.
Due to his death, there is anger among the contractors, who have once again decided to take on the state government.
They allege that Patil’s death is just the tip of the iceberg and that almost all departments in Karnataka are highly corrupt. The union of contractors had decided to stop all government work for a month from May 25.
It is not possible to do contract work in the state. How can we pay commission up to 40% and survive? Councillors, MLAs, ministers and bureaucrats all want their cuts. We are pushed to the wall,” Kempanna said.
According to a civil construction contractor in Bengaluru, it is not possible to bid, win and execute any work without a bribe. “In the much-awaited white-topping work for city roads, the bribe is up to 40%. It is day-to-day robbery,” he said.
In political circles, plum departments such as water resources, health, public works, power, revenue, urban development, social justice, women and child development and Bengaluru development and cooperation are known as “gold mines”. Ministers and bureaucrats compete for these lucrative portfolios.
Most contractors agree that corruption is rampant among political parties in the state. Almost all MLAs demand 10-15% cut from contractors and officials for every work in their constituency.
“Be it Congress, BJP or JD(S), no one is a saint. But asking for 40% bribe is unprecedented,” said a contractor from Bhatkal.
The flip side is that many so-called whistleblowers misuse the provisions of Right to Information (RTI) and do anti-corruption work to blackmail corrupt officials and politicians in the name of crusade against corruption.
No one in Karnataka has any hope or belief that corruption will end after Patil’s death.
Veteran politician and former minister Kagodu Thimappa summed it up: “It has deep roots like a banyan tree. No one can eliminate corruption because it benefits everyone.
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