<p>Water Resources Minister Govind Karjol on Friday accused the Karnataka State Contractors’ Association (KSCA) president D Kempanna of being “sponsored by the Congress” and defended his government in the face of the ‘40 per cent commission’ allegation.</p>.<p>At a news conference, Karjol released the details of pending bills cleared by his department to contractors.</p>.<p>He lashed out at Kempanna for making allegations against the government for the past two years.</p>.<p>“Kempanna has accused officials, ministers and MLAs of being corrupt. If so, why hasn’t a single contractor issued public statements? Does that mean contractors are corrupt too?” he asked.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/karnataka-politics/40-cut-boycott-works-kumaraswamy-tells-contractors-1139349.html" target="_blank">40% cut: Boycott works, Kumaraswamy tells contractors</a></strong></p>.<p>Releasing details of the bills cleared during the tenure of the BJP government, Karjol said that Rs 3,737 crore was pending when the Congress-JD(S) coalition was in power. Currently, Rs 7,128 crore has to be paid to contractors by various Nigams of the department, he said.</p>.<p>He said the total dues paid during the tenure of the Bommai government is Rs 12,572 crore.</p>.<p>The minister said the government has also cleared bills worth Rs 2,158 crore of small contractors and Rs 3,376 crore was released to 1,115 large contractors.</p>.<p><strong>‘Allegations baseless’</strong></p>.<p>Meanwhile, Public Works Minister CC Patil maintained that Kempanna’s allegations are baseless.</p>.<p>“Congress leaders were cornered by various issues. They are making allegations to divert attention,” he said, referring to cases of eggs hurled at Siddaramaiah’s car and complaints that he entered a temple after consuming meat.</p>.<p>“Kempanna has alleged that all 224 legislators are corrupt. This has brought a bad name to the government,” he said.</p>
<p>Water Resources Minister Govind Karjol on Friday accused the Karnataka State Contractors’ Association (KSCA) president D Kempanna of being “sponsored by the Congress” and defended his government in the face of the ‘40 per cent commission’ allegation.</p>.<p>At a news conference, Karjol released the details of pending bills cleared by his department to contractors.</p>.<p>He lashed out at Kempanna for making allegations against the government for the past two years.</p>.<p>“Kempanna has accused officials, ministers and MLAs of being corrupt. If so, why hasn’t a single contractor issued public statements? Does that mean contractors are corrupt too?” he asked.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/karnataka-politics/40-cut-boycott-works-kumaraswamy-tells-contractors-1139349.html" target="_blank">40% cut: Boycott works, Kumaraswamy tells contractors</a></strong></p>.<p>Releasing details of the bills cleared during the tenure of the BJP government, Karjol said that Rs 3,737 crore was pending when the Congress-JD(S) coalition was in power. Currently, Rs 7,128 crore has to be paid to contractors by various Nigams of the department, he said.</p>.<p>He said the total dues paid during the tenure of the Bommai government is Rs 12,572 crore.</p>.<p>The minister said the government has also cleared bills worth Rs 2,158 crore of small contractors and Rs 3,376 crore was released to 1,115 large contractors.</p>.<p><strong>‘Allegations baseless’</strong></p>.<p>Meanwhile, Public Works Minister CC Patil maintained that Kempanna’s allegations are baseless.</p>.<p>“Congress leaders were cornered by various issues. They are making allegations to divert attention,” he said, referring to cases of eggs hurled at Siddaramaiah’s car and complaints that he entered a temple after consuming meat.</p>.<p>“Kempanna has alleged that all 224 legislators are corrupt. This has brought a bad name to the government,” he said.</p>