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Karnataka Bribery Scandals: 40% Commission Allegations Surface

Corruption allegations in Karnataka target officials across sectors, fueling political clashes as BJP accuses Congress of bribery, inaction, and governance failures.

on Nov 20, 2024

Allegations of widespread corruption have surfaced in Karnataka, targeting government officials in multiple sectors, including education, libraries, and excise.

A book publisher filed a complaint with the District Public Library Authority and Deputy Commissioner on October 24, 2024, alleging that Bidar District Chief Library Officer Siddharth Bavikatti demanded a 40% commission for approving book purchases and nominations. The complaint highlights that corruption extends beyond book selection to re-selection processes and inventory handling, implicating several officials.

During the event, publisher Kupendra S. Hosmani claimed, “Bidar District Central Library Authority asked for bribe to send nomination proposal and name of members. Also, they demanded 40 percent of the money to buy my book.”

Further accusations surfaced regarding CSR fund allocations for school development, with demands of 40-50% bribes reportedly extending to approvals for grants. The claims include a ministerial aide allegedly seeking commissions for CSR funds meant for government schools.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi raised concerns about a ₹700 crore corruption scandal in Karnataka’s excise department during a Maharashtra election rally. BJP leader R. Ashok supported these allegations, referencing a letter from the Karnataka State Liquor Dealers Association. He urged the Congress government to form an SIT to investigate bribery in license renewals, revenue collection, and department transfers.

Ashok criticized the Congress-led government for its inaction, remarking, “Why have no arrests been made despite all the evidence? In the past, the government used to set targets for revenue collection, but now they set targets for corruption and bribery.”

He also slammed the administration's failures in infrastructure claiming, “This government has no competence to even fill a pothole on the roads”

The controversy has further fueled the ongoing political clash, with both Congress and BJP trading accusations over governance and ethics.