Last Updated:February 20, 2026, 17:56 IST The comments have triggered sharp political reactions as the Congress swept to power in 2023 after targeting the previous BJP government over the “40 per cent commission” culture. Karnataka after Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi A political controversy has erupted in Karnataka after Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi acknowledged that the practice of “commissions” or kickbacks continues within the state’s governance system. The minister’s remarks come amid mounting tensions with the Karnataka State Contractors Association (KSCA) announcing a statewide protest on March 6, alleging that the government has failed to clear pending bills amounting to ₹37,370 crore. The association has accused the Congress-led government of presiding over worsening corruption and administrative paralysis, intensifying the political heat around infrastructure projects. ‘It Was There Before, It Will Continue’ Responding to questions on allegations of commission-taking in the Public Works Department (PWD), Jarkiholi made an unusually candid statement. “That’s there. It was there before. It’s there now. It will be there in future. It’s difficult to trace where exactly it happens. Allegations …