Guarantees: Ruckus in Council over not giving info of firm hired for survey

Bengaluru: The Legislative Council on Thursday witnessed a storm as members of the Opposition raised objections to the government not providing details of a particular company, which was entrusted with the survey on guarantee schemes. 

JD(S)’ T A Saravana, who sought information on companies hired to conduct surveys of the schemes, alleged that the government was hiding information of a particular company while giving a reply to the House.

“A company by name Write People was given the task, with Section 4G exemption, and it was paid Rs 9.25 crore over four months. Why were details of that company hidden from the House?,” he said. 

Accusing the government of hiring companies to evaluate guarantees without calling for tenders, he said, “This is apart from the third-party agencies that have been hired for crores of rupees – also without calling for tenders. The exemption given under Section 4G of Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act is for emergency purposes. What was the emergency in this case?,” he said.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who holds the finance portfolio, in a written reply to Saravana’s question, said, “Bengaluru-based M2M Media Network was given the task to evaluate Shakti, Gruhalakshmi, Anna Bhagya and Gruha Jyothi schemes in 2023-2024. The Fiscal Policy Institute asked Mumbai-based XKDR Forum, Prabha Koteshwaran of Kings College, London, Tara Krishnaswamy of Indus Action, Azim Premji University and JustJobs Network to evaluate the guarantees. As per data placed before the House, M2M Media received Rs 1.12 crore, XKDR received Rs 1.03 crore for three reports, of which two have been submitted. The reports are being reviewed and no money is paid yet”.

The CM said there had been no monetary transaction with others. 

‘Place it in writing’

In the absence of the CM in the House, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar tried to convince the Opposition members saying, “You are asking for internal information suspecting that officials have hidden something. I will get back if there is any such information and place it in writing.”

Before giving that answer, Shivakumar went to the officers’ gallery and discussed with finance department officials.

He said, “We have nothing to hide. Every transaction will be through a bank or cheque.”

Leader of Opposition Chalavadi Narayanaswamy slammed the government for spending taxpayers’ money to evaluate and monitor guarantees. He said, “When officials are there, what was the need to have a guarantee implementation committee. For what reason private agencies were hired?”

Justifying the need for the committee, Shivakumar said, “It is a political call. If you want to stall the House proceedings, we have no objection. You do your politics and we will do ours. Any way, bring this issue in another format and we will reply.” 

Saravana entered the Well in protest. Chairman of the House Basavaraj Horatti intervened and assured the Opposition of taking up the issue for a half-an-hour discussion.