Editorial: Corruption is all-pervasive, Karnataka proves it

There cannot be smoke without fire. And the smoke that is billowing out is not from just one source. The flurry of accusations that the functionaries of the BJP government in Karnataka have thrown all norms to the wind while gathering illegal fortunes indicate that these are not being made without sufficient basis.

First it was the Karnataka State Contractors Association which raised the issue of contractors being forced to cough up 40% commission on all the work being assigned to them. The charges were aired in public almost six months ago. The Association wrote to the Prime Minister. But no action followed. Even as the Bommai government was trying to refute them, the suicide by public works contractor K. Santhosh Patil came as a shattering blow to the government’s image. The Association’s charge of rampant corruption gained wide acceptance. The Association had contended that nearly Rs 25,000 crore were pending as dues to contractors who had taken up contracts in the PWD, Irrigation and Health departments. Land developers, builders, liquor manufacturers, traders in sugar, edible oil and forest produce have long been the favourite hunting grounds for politicians to acquire their dirty trash of millions, or say billions.

Close on the heels of the suicide that led to the resignation of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister K. Eshwarappa, Dingaleshwar Swamiji of the Lingayat mutt at Balehosur in Shirahatti alleged that the mutts had to pay 30% of the sanctioned amount to get the allocation released. There are now allegations from contractors taking up BBMP work that 40% commission is the norm for all works to be assigned by the civic body. Fodder suppliers to the government-aided Gaushalas (shelter for abandoned cows) too have chipped into the debate accusing that even the hallowed objective of the work they do is not free from the taint of graft.

Evidently, corruption is an all-pervasive phenomenon in the state. Files do not move without greasing palms. Three exceptional features however are distinguishing hallmarks of the Bommai government. One, the level of commission—a euphemism for graft—has escalated to new heights of 40%, two, contractors have to cough up the money upfront and three, they were supposed to commence work even without any formal issuance of contract papers till now.

The BJP has proved that it is no exception when it comes to poor governance and transparency in fina ncial transactions and has now taken corruption to an unprecedented level. Money and money alone seems to have become the mainstay of the government’s functioning and no one seems to care for ideology or values. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assertion of Na Khaoonga, na khane doonga (neither will I indulge in corruption, nor allow others to indulge) is merely for public consumption. When it comes to the brass tacks, even monks, mutts and gaushalas have to fall in line and surrender the cut that the politician demands to strive, survive and thrive.