Karnataka contractors' association says 'corruption down,' keeps mum on '40% cut'

Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Contractors’ Association on Tuesday softened its stand against the Congress government, saying corruption has “come down” but stayed silent on the “40% commission” charge it levelled just a week ago. 

The Association said ‘package tenders’ (clubbing multiple works into one) are designed to facilitate corruption and urged to recall them. 

Speaking to reporters, Association president D Kempanna denied his earlier statement where he said “40% cut” was prevalent even in Congress government, but that officials were demanding money from contractors, but no MLA, MP/minister was asking directly. 

“Whenever a department floats package tenders, intention is to keep out competition and facilitate corruption. My remarks were specifically on package tenders. After the press meet, some departments withdrew tenders. The Karnataka Police Housing Corporation has not withdrawn, but postponed dates. If they don’t cancel, it proves my charges,” he said. 

The Association thanked PWD and its Minister Sathish Jarkiholi for releasing Rs 600 crore to 1,050 small-time contractors without seeking bribes. In other departments, he said corruption had come down, but remained silent on kickbacks for contracts.