Karnataka contractors allege political pressure in tender process for govt works

Dharwad: The North Karnataka Civil Contractors’ Association has slammed the politicians for “meddling” in the tender process for government works.

Speaking to media persons in Dharwad on Friday, association president Subhash Patil said that it is an open secret that politicians including MLAs and ministers were interfering in the civil works and mounting undue pressure on the officials to award the tender to their aides or family members or relatives. He alleged that under political pressure, the officials were awarding tenders to people recommended by politicians.

“The ruling and opposition party are equal partners in this exercise and both are influencing the officials to bend the rules according to their whims and fancies,” he said. 

The association stated that bills to the tune of Rs 26,000 crore of civil contractors of North Karnataka were pending.