Janata Dal (Secular) leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy Wednesday alleged a “commission scam” within the Greater Bengaluru Authority limits and accused Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D K Shivakumar of misusing public funds.
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Addressing a news conference, he said the decision by the Karnataka Cabinet last week to spend Rs 613 crore over seven years on renting 46 mechanical sweeping machines amounted to “commission scam”.
Questioning the rationale behind the move, Nikhil Kumaraswamy argued that a single machine could be purchased for Rs 1.33 crore, making outright purchase far cheaper than long-term rentals.
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Citing a report that recommended purchasing rather than renting the equipment, Nikhil hit out at the state government for ignoring expert advice. “Why spend Rs 613 crore when the same machines can be bought for RS 50 crore? This doesn’t make sense,” he said.
Training his guns at Shivakumar, the JD(S) leader said taxpayers’ money was being wasted. The rental plan was designed to facilitate kickbacks under the guise of civic improvement, he said, adding that the decision will lead to unwanted expenditure of public funds.
He said the Cabinet decision raised suspicions, as the public alleged that the project was approved solely to generate commissions. “The state government should respond to these allegations,” Nikhil Kumaraswamy said, adding that the party will take the issue to a logical conclusion.
“What is the hidden agenda behind this?” he asked, accusing the state government of being involved in one scam after another. The Rs 613 crore spent on these machines is not private funds, he said, demanding clarification from the government over the decision.