The former PM denies unilaterally allotting contracts in the Upper Krishna Project
“There was no golmaal in awarding piecework contracts in implementing Upper Krishna Project (UKP). The BJP is raking up the issue for political gain,” said former prime minister HD Deve Gowda on Thursday.
Reacting to the CID filing an FIR on alleged irregularities in the implementation of UKP for irrigating barren land in northern Karnataka when he was the chief minister in 1995, Gowda said, “There was no golmaal. Piecework contracts were awarded for speedy completion of irrigation works as the Bachawat Commission had set a deadline of June 2000, for utilisation of the state’s share of water in Krishna river basin.”
The case had been filed now for political vendetta, alleged Gowda, and expressed confidence that the government’s efforts to defame him would prove futile.
Denying allegations that he unilaterally allotted contracts, thus causing loss to the state exchequer, Gowda said: “I was not alone in taking decisions. The government order was issued only after advice by the technical committee and cabinet approval. I had no personal interest in it.”
To rebut charges of irregularities, Gowda distributed copies of the handbook issued out by the JD(S) several years ago.
“The practice of awarding piecework contracts was started by Congress chief minister Gundu Rao. Similar attempts were made earlier to tarnish my image. I am ready to face it,” he said.
The piecework contracts had raised a political storm after Gowda quit as chief minister in 1995 and became prime minister. The opposition had alleged that Gowda, before resigning as chief minister, approved hundreds of contracts related to UKP in one night. It is alleged he sanctioned Rs400 crore to private contractors.
It is alleged that Gowda, brushing aside objections from some of his cabinet colleagues, cleared contracts without calling for tenders, thereby violating contract norms. It is said that the Narayanapur right bank canal piecework, which was worth Rs2.35 crore, was later sanctioned for Rs20.75 crore.
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