Karnataka: Tangadagi seeks CID probe into tanks scam
He said that he has suspended 26 officials, including 22 engineers.
Koppal: Minister for Minor Irrigation Shivaraj S. Tangadagi said he has requested CM Siddaramaiah to conduct a time-bound investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into alleged illegal awarding of tenders for works worth about Rs 34 crore for taking up development of tanks in Kushtagi division of Koppal district.
Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, Mr Tangadagi, who is also minister in-charge of Koppal district, took a dig at local BJP workers who alleged that the minister had done black magic on their leaders to prevent them from raising their voice against his illegalities.
“I am not the kind of person to do black magic on BJP leaders to prevent them from fighting against me. Instead I encourage people who unearth illegalities. It’s BJP leaders to who engage in black magic".
He said that between October 2015 and January 2016, engineers of the minor irrigation department, in connivance with officials in the accounts department, had illegally awarded tenders for works to the tune of Rs 34 crore for desiltation and rejuvenation of minor irrigation tanks.
He said that he has suspended 26 officials, including 22 engineers and four accounts officers, suspected to be involved in the Rs 34.35-crore scam after he found violations of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act in awarding 47 contracts.