UKP contracts case merits no CBI probe: Karnataka CM

Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge sought a probe by the CBI as suggested by the Committee of Estimates into the irregularities in the execution of the UKP work.

Quoting the committee report, he said, the Government committed grave irregularities by issuing two special orders dated November 13, 1995 and on May 24, 1996. The orders provided for awarding of contractors on piece work basis up to a maximum of Rs 2.5 crore and if the contractor was foundto be extremely good up to a maximum of Rs 5 crore. This decision smacked of dubious transactions involving public money, he pointed out.

Kharge alleged that some political leaders had even threatened the engineers working in the area to allot works to particular contractors.

Patel, however, made it clear that he was not scared of any kind of probe and informed the House that the government had already kept the erring officials under check even suspending the work at times. If the Opposition parties desired a check, a team involving himself, Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Speaker Ramesh Kumar and members representing all the parties could visit the project area and examine the execution of the work, the Chief Minister said, and subsequently, if the team noticed any discrepancy, action could be taken on erring officials.