Will release contractor dues after probe, assures DKS

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Even as Karnataka State Contractors Association (KSCA) raised an alarm over pending dues over works of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar tried to downplay the concerns, assuring that the government would be settle their dues after investigation as per law.

The KSCA contractors led by their president Kempanna had earlier written to Governor Thaawar Chand, former CMs BS Yediyurappa and HD Kumaraswamy, among other Opposition leaders, demanding that their dues, allegedly pending since the past 26 months, be cleared.

Kempanna had infamously blamed the BJP state government for charging a cumulative 40 per cent commission in public works.

Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru Development Minister, said that the state government was acting according to the law and that ultimately “justice would be done” to the contractors.

“Kempanna has complained that there was corruption in the tender process. Justice has to be done to that. We have ordered an inquiry as per the law,” he said.

“The government is committed to do justice to contractors who have worked correctly. I’m aware of which contractors are speaking before the media, who are being called to Delhi and who is sending them to which leaders’ house,” Shivakumar added cryptically.