Complaint Against Two Congress Ministers Over Alleged Misuse of AMRUT Funds in Karnataka
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Synopsis
A complaint has been filed by BJP leader N. R. Ramesh against Congress ministers in Karnataka for allegedly misusing over Rs 17,000 crore in AMRUT funds. The allegations include embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds meant for urban development initiatives.
Key Takeaways
- N. R. Ramesh files a complaint against Congress ministers.
- Allegations involve Rs 17,000 crore in misused funds.
- Claims of embezzlement and corruption in AMRUT scheme.
- Independent inspections reveal less than 50% of projects visible.
- Calls for a CBI investigation into the matter.
Bengaluru, April 9 (NationPress) Social activist and senior BJP leader N. R. Ramesh has lodged a formal complaint against two Congress ministers within the Siddaramaiah administration in Karnataka, alleging that they have misappropriated more than Rs 17,000 crore from the Central government's flagship Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme.
During a press conference, Ramesh disclosed that he has accused State Urban Development Minister Bhyrati Suresh, Municipal Administration Minister Rahim Khan, and Congress MLA and Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUW & DB) chairman Vinay Kulkarni.
He asserted, "I have filed complaints against Ministers Byrathi Suresh, Rahim Khan, and Vinay Kulkarni with both the Lokayukta and the Enforcement Directorate (ED)."
The BJP leader noted that he also filed a complaint against chief engineers of the Karnataka Urban Water Supply (KUWS) and Drainage Board (DB), V. L. Chandrappa and T. N. Muddurajanna, along with the Director of the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA), Prabhuling Kavalikatti, IAS," Ramesh stated.
The AMRUT scheme aims to enhance the quality of life in urban areas outside major metropolises by improving drinking water supply, underground drainage, sewage management, stormwater drainage, green zones, parks, and urban transport infrastructure.
"In Karnataka, the implementation responsibility was designated to KUWS & DB and the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA). For the financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25, the Central Government allocated Rs 16,989.66 crore for AMRUT projects in Karnataka. Of this, 75 percent of the funds were designated for KUW & DB and 25 percent for DMA," Ramesh elaborated.
"In 2024-25, from the released Rs 8,989.66 crore, tenders totaling Rs 5,799.98 crore for 137 projects have been finalized and are underway, while tenders worth Rs 3,189.68 crore for 93 projects are reported completed but execution has yet to commence, based on official data from KUW & DB and DMA. Furthermore, in 2023-24, Rs 8,000 crore was released and allegedly fully utilized for AMRUT implementation, as reported by both departments," he declared.
"However, it has come to light that over 50 percent of the Rs 16,989.66 crore funds released over the last two years have been misused by corrupt officials within both KUW & DB and DMA, under the guidance of Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh, KUW & DB Chairman Vinay Kulkarni, and Municipal Administration Minister Rahim Khan," Ramesh accused.
"Almost half of the listed tasks in project estimates were not carried out, yet funds were withdrawn. Funds were distributed without actual work being completed. Identical sets of three-phase project photographs were used to falsely certify the completion of various projects. Pre-selected contractors were granted exclusive access to tenders to facilitate embezzlement," Ramesh alleged.
An independent evaluation across 27 city corporations/municipalities regarding the implementation of the AMRUT scheme in urban areas of Karnataka uncovered that less than 50 percent of the claimed projects are visible on the ground, he claimed.
"Even before tenders were sanctioned, Ministers Byrathi Suresh and Rahim Khan reportedly received a 15 percent commission, while Vinay Kulkarni received 3 percent," Ramesh alleged.
He further claimed that more than 50 percent of AMRUT funds were siphoned off in the form of commissions by senior officials in KUW & DB and DMA, including Chief Engineers, Executive Engineers, Assistant Executive Engineers, Assistant Engineers, Commissioners of Urban Local Bodies, and Chief Executive Officers of Town Municipalities.
Ramesh, who has also submitted a complaint regarding this to the Governor's office, has urged the Governor of Karnataka to grant permission for prosecution to investigate the cases against Ministers Byrathi Suresh, Rahim Khan, and Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni.
He has also called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, to initiate a CBI investigation into the extensive misuse of AMRUT funds.
"I also demand a high-level judicial inquiry into the scam from the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah," Ramesh concluded.
