Koppal
MP K Rajashekar Hitnal was accused by the District Contractors’ Association of monopolising the stone crusher business in the district. A press note issued by the association claims that MP Hitnal launched an agency named Prerana, comprising all crusher owners in the district as members. The contractors contend that this led to a situation where they must acquire crusher-related materials only through the MP’s agency.
According to Suresh Bhumareddy, the district President of the association, the contractors expressed their displeasure to the MP, but he did not respond. If it is made mandatory to get crusher material through one agency, all government works in the district will be stopped from October 13, he warned.
The contractors argue that until now, crusher owners and contractors worked in coordination. However, due to Hitnal’s agency monopoly, it is not possible to obtain crusher-related materials directly from the crusher owners. They state that this system will also affect the public. However, MP K Rajashekar Hitnal rejected the allegation that this system constitutes a monopoly. The agency was formed to implement the crusher business under a single-window system.
“Purchasing materials by paying cash will not cause financial problems for the crusher owners. Also, I have not lured any crusher owner to join my agency,” he said.
Contrary to Hitnal’s assertion, the contractors describe his argument as an eyewash. There is a plan to monopolise the crusher industry and make it mandatory to purchase materials at the price he charges. Such an agency system will be a death sentence for the contractors, they fear. According to the contractors, the government has already eliminated small contractors by implementing the package tender system. Now, Hitnal’s crusher monopoly will further aggravate this situation, the contractors’ association said in a press release.
