Karnataka has also ordered a moratorium on starting work on the basis of verbal instructions. (file)
Shivamogga:
In a clear fallout of the death of a civil contractor who leveled bribery allegations against a former state minister, the Karnataka government on Wednesday asked a retired High Court judge to approve tender offers for all public projects worth Rs 50. Announced the formation of a three-member commission. crores and above, to check malpractices in award of contracts.
Along with this, the government has ordered a complete ban on starting work on the basis of oral instructions of ministers or higher officials.
“Our government has taken a decision. Public works start from the time of preparation of estimates. Tender conditions are prepared for the benefit of a section of people. I have ordered the constitution of a high level committee consisting of a retired There will be a high court judge as its chairman and a financial expert and a technical expert as its members,” Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai told reporters.
The commission will be constituted under the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act (KTPPA).
Contractor Santosh Patil died by suicide in a hotel in Udupi on April 11. Accusing the then Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister KS Eshwarappa of demanding 40 per cent commission on a public work done on the former minister’s oral instructions in Belagavi district last year. As a result of which the BJP leader resigned from the state cabinet, due to which there was a ruckus.
Shivamogga MLA Eshwarappa had said that he was not involved in the issue but resigned from his ministerial post on April 14 after mounting pressure on him.
Mr Bommai further said that all tenders above Rs 50 crore would go to the proposed commission, which would review the estimates and tender status as per the provisions of KTPPA.
He said that after the project is reviewed and approved by the panel, the tendering process will start.
“A government order has been passed and in a few days, the commission will be constituted. It will be a deterrent against corruption. Members will be nominated in a week. Every estimate will have to be approved in 15 days,” Mr. Bommai said. .
He said that a provision has also been made that if there are more proposals, a parallel commission will be constituted so that there is no delay in the approval of projects.
“It is true that on many occasions oral orders are given in Panchayat Raj Bodies. After knowing about this, I have directed the Urban Development Department and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department not to do any work on oral basis. Instructions ,” the chief minister said.
He warned that if anyone acts on the basis of such verbal instructions, then assistant engineer, assistant executive engineer, panchayat development officer or section officers will be held accountable. In rural areas, Bommai said panchayat development officers and executive officers would be held accountable.
“I have ordered that all the instructions should be in writing so that there is a system. It will be implemented soon,” Bommai said.
Responding to a question, Shri Bommai agreed with the idea of constitution of committees on the lines of commission at the district level also.
When asked about the Patil suicide case, the Chief Minister said that the investigation is going on from the RDPR department to the police department.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)