Mangaluru: Mangaluru City North MLA Y Bharath Shetty on Tuesday accused the Karnataka govt of allowing a widespread “payment quota” and kickback system to operate across the state, including in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.
Quoting Upa Lokayukta Justice B Veerappa, Shetty claimed that 63% of citizens were compelled to pay bribes to get government work done, ranging from civil projects to routine administrative services. He also referred to Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai’s complaint alleging that an additional 7% commission was being demanded in projects implemented through the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Ltd (KRIDL) and the panchayat raj departments. Because he was born into the Hindu religion, asked about higher education minister Basavaraj Rayareddi’s reported remarks on Islam, Shetty said the minister had the freedom to make such statements.
Referring to Rayareddi’s reported comment that he did not visit temples, Shetty said, “Let us wait until the elections.
He described the Congress-led govt as a “bribe guarantee” govt, a reference to the ruling party’s welfare guarantees. Shetty said the allegations made by ruling-party legislators and ministers themselves indicated the extent of corruption within the administration. “Suspending lower-level officials is merely an eyewash aimed at shielding senior political figures. Congress MLAs themselves have written letters alleging widespread extortion. Instead of internal COD or CID inquiries, which lead nowhere, the govt should institute a credible judicial inquiry headed by a sitting judge and hold the ministers responsible accountable,” he demanded. During elections, they will stand in queues outside temples.”