New Delhi (Agency): The government of Karnataka has initiated a judicial inquiry into serious allegations regarding the demand for a ’40 per cent commission’ on public projects. This scandal occurred during the tenure of the previous BJP-led government in the state.
Three months after assuming power, the ruling Congress party fulfilled one of its essential promises made during the assembly elections campaign by passing an order to set up an inquiry panel on Thursday. The panel will be led by retired High Court judge Justice Nagamohan Das.
According to the official order, the commission’s task will be to inquire into the activities of the various departments where large-scale public works were conducted. The focus will be on assessing whether administrative approvals were aligned with the rules and whether the quality of the works met the required standards. Additionally, the probe panel will determine whether the estimates were in line with prevailing rates and assess the need to revise those estimates in the event of cost escalation.
The allegations came to light when the Karnataka State Contractors’ Association wrote to both the Prime Minister and the then Chief Minister, revealing that a 40 per cent commission was being charged on all public projects in the state. The order further explained that even before the commencement of work, a commission of 25 to 30 per cent was paid to public representatives, while the remaining was paid after the completion of work.
Despite these serious accusations, no action was taken by the previous government. The order expressed the new government’s determination, stating, “However, no action was taken on these serious allegations at the government level. The new government wants to bring transparency in the administration at the initial level itself.”
During the election campaign, the Congress party had raised this issue of the ’40 per cent commission’ to target the BJP government, claiming it as evidence of corruption and lack of transparency in public projects. Now in power, they are moving forward with an investigation to shed light on these allegations.
The investigation’s implications are significant as it touches upon the functioning and integrity of governmental departments handling public works. The probe panel will require the departments concerned to submit their files for review, opening the door for scrutiny of practices and protocols during the previous government’s term.
This move by the Karnataka government highlights the growing emphasis on transparency and accountability in public administration. By launching a judicial probe into these allegations, they are sending a strong message that corruption and unethical practices will not be tolerated.
The inquiry’s outcome could have far-reaching consequences, not only for those directly implicated in the allegations but also for governance standards in the state. A thorough and transparent investigation may lead to reforms in the way public projects are handled, ensuring that public funds are used responsibly and that there is accountability at every stage of a project’s lifecycle.
While the investigation’s completion may still be some time away, its initiation represents a critical step towards reinforcing the principles of good governance. It aligns with the new government’s commitment to fostering a transparent and accountable administration, echoing their campaign promises.
The ’40 per cent commission scam’ has undoubtedly captured the public’s attention, and the forthcoming inquiry is likely to be closely watched by both the media and the citizenry. It stands as a test case for the new government’s ability to follow through on its promises and will likely have political ramifications as well.