Priyank Kharge Criticizes BJP Karnataka Over Payment Irregularities
In a recent statement, Priyank Kharge, a prominent member of the Indian National Congress and the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj in Karnataka, criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for alleged irregularities during their tenure. Kharge’s remarks were directed at the BJP Karnataka unit, questioning their expectations for the current government to clear payments to vendors involved in past irregularities.
Kharge highlighted the findings of the Accountant General’s audit, which flagged over ₹300 crore worth of misappropriations by the Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS) under the BJP government. He pointed out several glaring audit observations, including:
- Payments made without conducting third-party inspections.
- Payments based on forged third-party inspection reports for material supplies.
- Payments made against fake bills before the supply of goods.
- Claims for software that were never installed, yet payments were made.
- Fraudulent and excessive claims by vendors, including payments for unsupplied CCTVs.
- Payments issued against fake delivery challans and forged third-party inspection reports.
- Overpayments for work that was never executed.
- Advance payments to contractors in clear violation of codal provisions.
Kharge emphasized that these issues were just the tip of the iceberg, indicating deep-rooted corruption and mismanagement under the previous administration. He questioned the BJP’s urgency to clear these payments and suggested that they direct their questions to the then IT Minister and Chief Minister from their own party.
Kharge assured that payments to vendors who have not been involved in any malpractice would be processed based on the recommendations of the fact-finding committee. He also called on the BJP Karnataka unit to explain to the people why their government engaged in such blatant corruption.
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