Priyank Kharge Rejects Blame for BJP Government's Irregularities Amid KEONICS Vendor Claims
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Synopsis
Minister Priyank Kharge responds to vendor allegations related to the Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited, asserting he is not accountable for past irregularities under the BJP government. The vendors have urged the President for intervention, citing ongoing harassment and pending payments.
Key Takeaways
- Priyank Kharge defends against claims of responsibility for past irregularities during the BJP administration.
- Vendors associated with KEONICS face severe financial distress due to unpaid bills.
- The association has appealed to the President of India for intervention.
- Minister Kharge insists payments will only be made to vendors with no involvement in misconduct.
- Concerns raised over the potential impact on families of affected vendors.
Bengaluru, Jan 14 (NationPress) Minister Priyank Kharge addressed allegations of harassment and a letter sent to the President of India regarding mercy killing by vendors linked to the government-operated Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS). He emphasized that he cannot be held accountable for the irregularities that occurred during the prior BJP government in the state.
During a media briefing on Tuesday, Minister Kharge asserted that he should not be blamed for the scam that transpired under the leadership of former minister and BJP MLA C. N. Ashwath Narayan. "Let them bring their complaint to the Justice Nagamohan Das Commission. The government will initiate an investigation," he affirmed.
Minister Kharge pointed out that the previous BJP administration had borrowed excessively, and it is the Congress government that is now managing the repayment of those loans.
"Do you genuinely expect our government to process payments to vendors implicated in irregularities during the BJP's administration? Have the findings from the Accountant General’s audit, which highlighted over Rs 300 crore in misappropriations by KEONICS while under BJP rule, been forgotten?" Minister Kharge questioned.
"Instead of directing inquiries at me, why not address them to the then IT Minister Ashwath Narayan? I am confident they would have all the answers," Kharge remarked.
Payments to vendors not involved in any misconduct will be processed according to the recommendations of the fact-finding committee, he clarified.
Vendors associated with KEONICS have addressed a letter to the President of India seeking approval for mercy killing.
They accuse Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge and Congress MLA Sharath Bachegowda, who is also the Chairman of KEONICS, of harassment.
The KEONICS Vendors' Association submitted the letter on Tuesday, claiming their outstanding bills have remained unpaid for over one and a half years due to alleged personal vendettas.
The association pointed out that 400 to 500 vendors are severely impacted, affecting about 6,000 families.
They cautioned that if any vendors or their family members resort to suicide, the accountability would fall on Minister Kharge and MLA Bachegowda.
"We face daily harassment. The lives of KEONICS vendors have been devastated. The 6,000 families reliant on us have been left destitute. In light of this, we sincerely request permission for mercy killing," stated Vasanth Bangera and other members of the association.
KEONICS has been functioning in the state for 48 years, registering 450 to 500 small industrialists as vendors to provide various services to the government.
Bangera remarked that past administrations maintained a good rapport with KEONICS. However, he claimed that the situation shifted after the Congress government assumed power in 2023. For the past three to four months, vendors have been urging authorities to settle their payments, but to no avail.
The association alleged that the former CEO demanded a 12 percent commission, and when vendors declined, their bills were withheld. Despite protests, no resolution has been achieved.
The letter also claimed that Minister Kharge has taken the situation personally, withholding payments under the guise of inquiries, despite vendors completing their work and government departments having already released funds to KEONICS.
Many vendors, who obtained loans to support their operations, now face financial hardship and are contemplating suicide due to the mounting pressure.
The letter noted that repeated appeals to Minister Kharge, MLA Bachegowda, the Chief Minister, the Governor, and other officials have gone unanswered.
"Everything seems intentional. New regulations have been established to ensure that none of the 450 to 500 vendors maintain their status, favoring larger corporations instead. This has displaced 6,000 families from their livelihoods," the letter asserted.
In their appeal to the President, the association called for immediate intervention and requested directives for the state government to release their outstanding payments within a week to avert a crisis.
