**Title:** Karnataka Contractors’ Association Alleges Ministerial Interference
**Meta Description:** The Karnataka Contractors’ Association claims increased corruption and interference from ministers’ relatives in government departments under the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government.
**URL Slug:** karnataka-contractors-association-ministerial-interference
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**Karnataka Contractors’ Association Alleges Ministerial Interference**
The Karnataka State Contractors’ Association has raised serious concerns regarding undue interference in government departments, specifically implicating relatives of several ministers in the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah. Association President D. Manjunath expressed that corruption has escalated under the current administration, stating, “Compared to the previous government, the present one is demanding a higher percentage.” He noted that despite communicating these issues to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and other ministers, the demands persist unchanged.
In an interview, Manjunath highlighted that the process of approving contractor payments has increasingly been influenced by family members of current ministers. “In almost all departments, there are invisible hands behind the scenes,” he remarked, indicating that relatives of ministers are attempting to exert control over departmental operations. He specifically mentioned the son of Small Irrigation Minister Boseraju and the son-in-law of Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi as individuals interfering in the bill clearance processes.
Manjunath criticized the involvement of Boseraju’s son in the payment process, questioning why he should be part of it. “Payments should be handled by the concerned ministers,” he asserted. While he acknowledged Jarkiholi’s respect within the Association, he claimed that his son-in-law, currently serving as Excise Commissioner, is allegedly influencing PWD decisions, particularly regarding payment approvals. “Though we have immense respect for Jarkiholi sir, over the last 3-4 months, one of his relatives has been interfering in the process of clearing bills,” he stated.
The Association also expressed frustration over the lack of action following promises made by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Manjunath recounted a meeting held on April 3, where Shivakumar assured them of another meeting on April 11, but attempts to contact the Managing Directors (MDs) yielded no response. He claimed that none of the corporations under the Deputy Chief Minister’s ministries were processing payments for small contractors.
The contractors are demanding immediate clearance of payments for small and mid-level contractors, accusing the government of prioritizing new projects and select contractors over settling outstanding bills. “Let them clear the old bills. There was no such thing as a ‘special LOC’ in the previous government. Now there is one,” Manjunath remarked, referring to the Special Letter of Credit system.
In conclusion, the Karnataka Contractors’ Association’s allegations highlight significant concerns regarding corruption and interference in government processes, calling for immediate action to address these issues and ensure fair treatment for all contractors.
**FAQ**
**Q: What are the main allegations made by the Karnataka Contractors’ Association?**
A: The Association alleges increased corruption and undue interference in government departments by relatives of ministers, particularly in the payment approval process for contractors.