Mangaluru: Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai has urged Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to order an impartial investigation into allegations of corruption, illegal collection of money and threats to contractors by officials of the…

Mangaluru: Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai has urged Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to order an impartial investigation into allegations of corruption, illegal collection of money and threats to contractors by officials of the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL), Mangaluru division.In a letter dated August 25, Rai has alleged serious irregularities involving KRIDL Mangaluru Executive Engineer Vijay and Junior Engineer Prajwal in the execution of various development works.Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Ra’s letter addressed to Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. The MLA said complaints have been received alleging that contractors executing government works were being harassed and were allegedly told that monthly payments had to be made to the District In-charge Minister and the department minister. The letter further alleges that additional amounts of up to seven per cent were being collected from contractors in the name of a “KRIDL charge.”Bribery: Lokayukta cops arrest KUWSDB engineersRai also alleged that contractors who questioned such demands were threatened. He urged the Chief Minister to consider the allegations seriously and order a comprehensive and impartial departmental inquiry into the conduct of the two officials.The MLA said transparency, quality and adherence to rules were essential in development projects taken up by the government. If the allegations are found to be true, it amounts to misuse of public funds and could damage the reputation of the department and affect public confidence, he said.Rai has requested that the officials be suspended, if necessary, or transferred in the administrative interest until the inquiry is completed. He also sought strict disciplinary action under the service and departmental rules if the allegations are proved.Further, if the investigation confirms that government funds were misused or money was illegally collected from contractors, then the government should recover the amount and initiate appropriate legal proceedings against those responsible, said the MLA.“I do not believe that my letter to CM has provided fodder for Opposition BJP who have been accusing the Congress led government of being corrupt. Corruption has existed in all governments. As our government is doing good work, I decided to write to the government myself,” Rai told DH when contacted.

Source: Deccan Herald