Khandre forms panel to inquire into KRIDL corruption allegations
Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre has launched an inquiry into corruption allegations involving KRIDL engineers who were accused of collecting illegal 'charges' from contractors. The investigation follows claims by MLA Ashok Kumar Rai that officials were extorting money under the guise of payments to government ministers.
Why it matters
This investigation addresses systemic corruption concerns in public infrastructure projects and highlights the tension between local political representatives and administrative departments.
Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Eshwar Khandre has constituted a three-member committee, headed by an officer of the rank of Superintending Engineer, to inquire into the veracity of corruption allegations made by Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai against two engineers of the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) office in Mangaluru.
In a letter to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Mr. Rai alleged that the two KRIDL engineers were collecting an additional 7% as “KRIDL charges” from contractors executing KRIDL works, claiming that the amount had to be paid every month to the district in-charge Minister and the Minister in charge of KRIDL. Mr. Rai said he had received complaints from contractors in this regard. Contractors had also complained that they were harassed by the two officials if they questioned the demand, he stated.
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