On August 31, Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai wrote to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar demanding an inquiry into allegations that officials of the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Ltd (KRIDL) Mangaluru division are extorting a 7% commission from contractors handling government projects.
According to the MLA, Executive Engineer Vijay and Junior Engineer Prajwal have been collecting additional sums from contractors under the pretext of departmental, district in‑charge and ministerial fees. The payments, Rai says, are being taken on a monthly basis and are presented as dues of the department.
Contractors who questioned the extra charge reportedly faced intimidation from the two engineers. Rai highlighted that such coercion not only jeopardises the financial integrity of public works but also threatens the safety and quality of infrastructure development in the region.
The letter to the Chief Minister stresses that if the accusations prove true, the conduct would constitute a serious misuse of public funds, tarnish KRIDL’s reputation and erode public confidence. Rai urged immediate suspension of the implicated officials and the filing of criminal cases against them.
Emphasising the need for transparency, the MLA called for strict adherence to rules, proper monitoring of project finances and swift disciplinary action to deter similar malpractices in the future.
KRIDL, a state‑run corporation tasked with rural infrastructure, has yet to respond to the allegations. The matter now awaits action from the Chief Minister’s office, which could set a precedent for handling corruption claims within Karnataka’s development agencies.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati DK