I know who is calling the contractors to Delhi: Shivakumar’s sharp retort on 15 pc commission charge

BENGALURU: A day after Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) contractors accused Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar of 15 per cent commission for release of pending payments, the latter remained unmoved and said the probe into the works taken up has to be completed.

“The contractors themselves had lodged a complaint. If they want publicity, they can go anywhere. I know who is calling them to Delhi and who is sending them before the media. We have ordered a probe and the government will ensure justice to all those who have executed works sincerely”, Shivakumar told media persons.

Meanwhile, a day after the contractors met Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot over unpaid bills, Palike Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath called on the governor on Thursday.

The BBMP contractors had alleged that the chief commissioner was not releasing payments for works completed. They had also alleged that they are being forced to cough up 15 per cent commission and had even met senior BJP leader B S Yediyurappa on Wednesday.

The BBMP chief received a call from Raj Bhavan soon after the contractors presented a memorandum. “I have briefed the governor regarding the memorandum presented by the contractors and I also gave information about the release of payment”, Tushar Giri Nath told Public TV.

The contractors have been meeting all City MLAs and ministers.

On Thursday, about 50 contractors also met former BJP minister R Ashoka and raised the issue of nonpayment of dues. Ashoka organised a meeting at the office of the Jayanagar BJP MLA Ramamurthy wherein legislators Byrathi Basavaraj, Uday Garudachar, Ravi Subramanya, Satish Reddy, and Raghu were present.

“We are appealing to all MLAs of Bengaluru before launching a strike. We were told that our bills will be cleared after the elections, but now, even after a new government is in place, our bills haven’t been cleared”, said Manjunath, president of the contractors’ association.

“Over the last 28 months, bills of Rs 2,500 crore have not been cleared. The government has released Rs 675 crore of which Rs 75 crore has been disbursed to people close to them. We met ministers Ramalinga Reddy and Krishna Byregowda four times each and we also petitioned the governor for mercy killing”, Manjunath added.