Not able to give just 10 to 15% of bills: DK Shivakumar after Karnataka State Contractors Association allegation

ANI April 11, 2025 233 views

Karnataka's political landscape is embroiled in a heated controversy over contractor bill payments and alleged corruption. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has defended the current government's stance while criticizing the previous BJP administration's record on bill settlements. The Karnataka State Contractors Association has raised serious concerns about payment delays and middlemen interference in government departments. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and BJP leaders have launched sharp attacks, accusing the Congress government of systemic corruption.

"We are not able to give only 10% to 15% of the bills" - DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, April 11: Following the allegations of growing interference by middlemen and halted payments in the government departments by Karnataka State Contractors Association, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday said that some contractors are requesting some legislators in their constituency to pay the pending bills.

Key Points

1

Karnataka contractors allege systemic payment blockages

2

Shivakumar claims previous BJP regime had Rs 1 lakh crore pending bills

3

Ministers accused of creating 'collection centres' instead of development centres

Clarifying bill payments, the Deputy CM stated that the government is not able to pay just 10-15 per cent of the bills. However, he targeted the previous BJP government, stating that during the BJP government, the pending bills were more than Rs 1 lakh crores.

"Some contractors are requesting some of our legislators in their constituency to give whatever the bills have been pending. Earlier in the BJP government, more than 1 lakh crore in my department was due. We are not able to give only 10% to 15% % of the bills... So they are requesting some MLAs, party leaders and some others," Shivakumar told reporters.

Earlier today, after the president of the Karnataka State Contractors Association alleged growing interference by middlemen in government departments, BJP leader and LoP R Ashoka said that it is 200 per cent correct and there is no doubt at all.

Hitting out at the Karnataka government, the BJP leader further alleged that the chambers of ministers have become "collection centres " as they no longer remain work or development centres.

"... Its 200 per cent correct. There is no doubt at all. In Vidhana Soudha, the chambers of all the ministers are the collection centres, not the work centre or development centre," R Ashoka told reporters.

Sharpening his attacks, the LoP alleged that ministers "collected money" and sent it to the high command to retain their posts.

He said, "They collect the money and send it to the high command because that their post must be retained. Ministers were retained, the deputy CM was retained, and the congress president was retained. There is no development in Karnataka. They are looting the government's money. Congress leaders are also saying this..."

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also fiercely critiqued the Congress-led Karnataka government, accusing it of indulging in corruption.

Joshi told reporters, "They are doing deals. Their economic advisor has said that there is the highest corruption in the Karnataka government. We haven't said this; they said it. So there is corruption. Congress always support corruption. It is their patent.

On Thursday, Karnataka State Contractors Association President R. Manjunath wrote a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah alleging that payments are not being made to small and medium-level contractors.

In the letter, he mentioned that the interference of middlemen between contractors and government departments has increased significantly.

He stated that the government is supposed to release payments based on seniority as per the transparency law, but it is not doing so. "There are a total of 1.5 lakh contractors in the state, out of which 60% are small and medium-level contractors. These contractors are not receiving payments. Only influential contractors are being paid, and Manjunath questions, "How are the rest supposed to survive?," the letter reads.

In the letter to CM Siddaramaiah, he also alleges that middlemen are heavily involved in the release of funds in the Public Works Department, the four irrigation corporations, and the minor irrigation department. As a result, funds are not being released based on seniority in these departments.

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
This is so frustrating! Small contractors are the backbone of our economy. If they're not getting paid on time, how will they pay their workers? The government needs to fix this ASAP. 😠
S
Sunita M.
Interesting how both parties are blaming each other. But what's the solution? We need transparency in bill payments regardless of which party is in power. The contractors shouldn't suffer because of political games.
V
Vikram P.
While I understand the frustration, I think the Deputy CM has a point about the previous government's pending bills. But that doesn't excuse current delays. Both administrations need to do better.
A
Ananya S.
My uncle is a small contractor and hasn't been paid for 8 months! He's taking loans to pay his workers. This system is broken. 😔 When will our leaders think about real people instead of politics?
P
Praveen N.
The middlemen issue is the real problem here. Why can't there be a direct, transparent payment system? All these allegations about "collection centers" are disturbing if true.
M
Meena R.
I appreciate that the contractors association is speaking up. More pressure groups should hold the government accountable. Maybe then we'll see some action on these delayed payments.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Karnataka Politics DK Shivakumar Contractors Payment BJP Congress Siddaramaiah
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