Exclusive/ KEONICS contractors' association President accuses the govt body's head of demanding 12% commission

In yet another corruption charge that seems to have hit the Karnataka government, the President of Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS) contractors' association has accused the head of the government organisation of demanding bribe in exchange of clearing bills. Republic Kannada has exclusively learnt that 12 per cent commission was demanded in exchange of clearing the pending bills.

The President of KEONICS contractors' association, Vasant Bangera, while talking to Republic Kannada, alleged that the Managing Director (MD) of KEONICS, Sangappa, asked him for a 10% to 12% commission in exchange of clearing dues amounting approximately to Rs 300 crore. Bangera further alleged that Sangappa justified his demand by claiming that he spent Rs 3-4 crore for the MD post and he needs to provide money to officials on the top. 

Bangera, on his part, questioned as to why he should pay the bribe when he has committed no wrongdoing.

It is pertinent to mention here that the ‘About’ section of the KEONICS website mentions Congress' Priyank Kharge as the chairman of KEONICS.

Following the newsbreak by Republic, Minister Satish Jarkiholi noted that the accusations levelled are serious and emphasised on the necessity for a comprehensive investigation while pressing on the need of a thorough cleanup. He requested that Priyank Kharge handle this matter and issue a detailed inquiry in the matter.  

BJP demands action against Priyank Kharge

Reacting to the newsbreak, the state unit of Bharatiya Janata Party released a poster on Republic Kannada’s story while calling for sacking of Priyank Kharge from the Karnataka cabinet. 

While sharing the poster, BJP said, “The Rural Development and IT-BT Minister @PriyankKharge is involved in the filling of scams and irregularities, always calling it collection, commission, protecting the kingpins involved in KEA examination irregularities and KEONICS scam, does not deserve to continue as a minister for a moment. CM @siddaramaiah, first sack this corrupt minister from your cabinet.”

ಹಗರಣ, ಅಕ್ರಮಗಳ ಹೂರಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾವುದೇ ಮುಲಾಜಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಭಾಗಿಯಾಗಿ, ಸದಾ ಕಲೆಕ್ಷನ್‌, ಕಮಿಷನ್‌ ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾ, ಕೆ.ಇ.ಎ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಾ ಅಕ್ರಮ ಹಾಗೂ ಕಿಯೋನಿಕ್ಸ್ ಹಗರಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗಿಯಾಗಿರುವ ಕಿಂಗ್‌ ಪಿನ್‌‌ಗಳನ್ನು ರಕ್ಷಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಗ್ರಾಮೀಣಾಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಮತ್ತು ಐಟಿ-ಬಿಟಿ ಸಚಿವ @PriyankKharge ಅವರು ಸಚಿವ ಸ್ಥಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಂದುವರೆಯಲು ಒಂದು ಕ್ಷಣವೂ… pic.twitter.com/Bon9piuRM5

— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) November 7, 2023