'40% commission': Panel gives 20,000-page report to Karnataka govt

Bengaluru: Justice H N Nagamohan Das Commission on Wednesday submitted a 20,000-page inquiry report on the ‘40% Commission’ allegations pertaining to works carried out between July 26, 2019 and March 31, 2023, when BJP was in power in the state.

The one-man inquiry commission was constituted in August 2023, soon after the Congress came to power.

Justice Das submitted the report to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He also submitted a 1,800-page inquiry report on allegations of irregularities in the modernization of the Narayanapura Left Bank canal.

The primary mandate of the one-man committee was to look into the ‘40% commission’ allegation levelled by the Karnataka State Contractors’ Association in its letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2021 and former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai in August of 2021, and March and April of 2022.

The Association had claimed that contractors pay 25% to 30% cut before the start of civil works and 5% to 6% for post-work bills. They also complained that a “package system” (bundling up of multiple works) favoured contractors from outside Karnataka.

The ‘40% commission’ allegation became a war cry for the Congress during the 2023 Assembly polls. 

Apart from probing the ‘40% commission’ allegation, the Congress government had asked Justice Das to look into works under the BBMP, BDA, departments of public works, rural development & panchayat raj and water resources.

“Since allegations pertained to civil works, it was important to elicit opinions from the public. The commission also looked into complaints it received from the public,” Justice Das said in a statement.

With the scope of inquiry covering 1,344 days, when the BJP was in power, the Commission selected completed works in a scientifically randomized manner. The selected works represented all departments, districts, type and cost of works, he stated. 

The government is likely to discuss Justice Das’ inquiry reports in the Cabinet and decide on further action.