'DKS not clearing bills without commission'

BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa on Friday charged that Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar had sought commission to clear the department bills.

Addressing the gathering during the BJP state executive committee meeting at Palace Grounds here, Yeddyurappa, who is also leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, said, “Contractors are heard saying that the Water Resources Minister has directed officials not to clear any bills without taking commission.”

Shivakumar, however, dismissed the charge as baseless. “I have not taken any cheque. If such is the case, let him lodge a complaint with the Income Tax department or the Anti-Corruption Bureau - I will furnish the evidence if need be. I am yet to review the department properly. Let Yeddyurappa come to the Vidhana Soudha and discuss the matter with me - let him resort to any kind of harassment,” he added.

Schemes affected

Slamming the JD(S)-Congress coalition government, Yeddyurappa said that the administration had taken a hit, due to the lackadaisical attitude of many ministers.

He said that more than Rs 10,000 crore meant for beneficiaries under various pension schemes had not been disbursed in the last four to five months. He also said that the government was yet to clear pending bills of Rs 35 crore to Indira Canteens.