Bengaluru: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday September 14 ordered a probe into the alleged borewell digging scam after a ruckus in the Assembly caused by Congress members. Members of Congress have claimed that certain contractors have produced fake certificates to obtain funding and tenders. They also noted that borewell infrastructure costs have varied from place to place.
“We need to streamline the system because several mechanisms have been adopted to help Ganga Kalyana scheme beneficiaries,” he said. He emphasised that the Opposition brought up a number of issues, such as the variation in drilling prices and missed payments, among others.
Since several techniques have been used to assist beneficiaries under the Ganga Kalyana plan, the CM said that “we need to streamline the system.” He emphasised that the Opposition cited a number of concerns, such as variations in the cost of drilling and late payments, among other things. Bommai told the House, “We will discuss and pay the dues.” Congress members weren’t satisfied, therefore Bommai said an inquiry would be launched.
Borewells have been drilled in the lands of beneficiaries selected by the Ganga Kalyana Corporation and Karnataka Adijambava Development Corporation, said Congress MLA Dr. Yathindra, who brought up the issue in the Assembly. He said that neither power supply nor motor pumps had been distributed. Along with Dr. Yathindra, many Congress MLAs said that the payment of money to contractors without any work being completed is a scam.
Bommai said that over the past 20 years, borewells had been dug for SC/ST and backward class beneficiaries under various corporations and schemes. “However, the objective hasn’t always been met. Borewells are not dug everywhere. Even if they are dug, there is no power connection. This is because each contractor is different. In these situations, the objective is not achieved. Governments in the past have made an effort to achieve their objectives. To make it work, the government decided to construct borewells and provide electricity in the same year. Drilling the wells and providing the electricity were given to the same contractor. However, a few contractors went to court,” added Bommai.
