Karnataka Cabinet decides to set up SIT to probe 40% commission allegation against BJP government

The SIT will complete the investigation in two months and submit the report to the state government.

Bengaluru: A day after the Karnataka contractors’ association targeted the ruling Congress for unabated corruption, the Cabinet decided Friday to form a special investigation team (SIT) to probe irregularities in construction works carried out when the BJP was in power.

The SIT will work based on the findings of the Justice HN Nagamohan Das Commission, which was constituted in August 2023 to look into allegations of corruption levelled by the Karnataka State Contractors Association (KSCA).

The SIT should submit its report or take necessary action within two months, Law & Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil said. "The SIT will have technical experts, not just police."

Primarily, the Commission was tasked with inquiring into the '40% commission' allegation against the previous BJP government. However, the Commission did not find any evidence for '40% commission', as was reported by DH on April 2.

The Commission did find several cases of procedural lapses in works that were taken up between July 26, 2019 and March 31, 2023, the period in which the BJP was in power. The “delays in the pre- and post-tender processes, legal violations and nepotism” show corruption, the report stated.

Works under the departments of public works, irrigation, urban development, rural development and the BBMP were scrutinised by the Commission.

"Out of three lakh works, the Commission dealt with in detail 1,729 works," Patil said. "The Commission looked into allegations, cost of projects, the total money spent, when the money was released, whether or not letters of credit (LoC) were issued out of turn, were the total works done in conformity with what what was sanctioned," he said, adding that the Cabinet "took serious note" of the findings in the report.

According to Patil, the report found that in some cases, works were carried out beyond what was sanctioned. "In some cases, payment was more than the money released. In some cases, there are doubts about whether or not works were carried out at all. It was also found that there was meddling in the tender process by political or administrative people," he said.

When asked if the Justice Das' report found '40% commission' in any work, Patil said: "We need to study that. The report has said there was bribery."

The Cabinet decision came a day after KSCA president R Manjunath said the 'commission menace' has worsened under the ruling Congress.