In an unprecedented move, the Karnataka State Contractors’ Association will stage a massive protest rally in Bengaluru and is considering holding a relay hunger strike by the end of April, demanding a “cut back in kickbacks”.
D. Kempanna, president of the association, had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2021 alleging that “kickbacks” in contracts awarded by the State Government had ballooned to 40%. Neither did the Prime Minister’s Office respond to the letter nor has the situation changed under Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, he said on Sunday at an event, ‘40% Commission, a mega-scam that shocked no one: What next for Karnataka?’ organised by Jagruta Karnataka, a body of activists
“We are unable to work in this condition. Neither the State nor the Union Government has responded to our grievances. So we have decided to go on a protest by April end,” he said.
