Karnataka govt forms panels to probe irregularities in BBMP

The move comes amid allegations of corruption by the Opposition against the ruling Congress government in the state.

The Karnataka government, in an order said, that it has constituted four committees to probe the alleged irregularities in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) from 2019-20 and 2022-23, under the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

The complaints are based on irregularities in bill payment, tenders and public works, the order said. (HT Archives)

Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru Development minister, held several meetings with officials of various departments in the last 15 days and decided to form four committees to investigate projects approved for solid waste management, road development, storm water drain, and lake development.

The move comes amid allegations of corruption by the Opposition against the ruling Congress government in the state.

In its order, the Urban Development Department (UDD) said there were many complaints by citizens, public representatives, media and contractors about widespread corruption in the city’s civic body. The complaints are based on irregularities in bill payment, tenders and public works, the order said.

The first committee headed by Ujjwal Kumar Ghosh will probe the alleged irregularities in solid waste management. Retired chief engineers of Public Works Department (PWD) Captain R R Doddihal, Basavaraj Koti and Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited Assistant Executive Engineer T Prabhakar have been appointed as its members.

It will have two retired PWD chief engineers Prabhakar D Hammige and K Mohan, retired general manager of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Jwalendra Kumar and two retired PWD executive engineers Basavaraj Saunshimath and N S Mohan as its members.

In order to probe occupancy certificates issued for alleged encroachments of Storm Water Drains (SWDs), a four-member team headed by headed by Dr P C Jaffer has been formed. It will comprise retired EICR secretary S B Siddagangappa, retired PWD chief engineer H R Ramakrishna and retired PWD executive engineer Mallesh as its members.

The fourth committee led by Dr Vishal R will investigate alleged irregularities in lake development, works taken up under Smart City project and ward level works. This committee will have five members – retired PWD chief engineer Beese Gowda, three retired PWD executive engineers H P Prakash, Srikanth, H Kumar and retired assistant executive engineer G S Gopinath.

The order said that the committees will look into whether the projects taken up in the last three years adhere to statutory compliances.

They will also investigate whether the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act (KTPP) was complied with while awarding contracts and carrying out works.

rregularities in calling tenders and giving contracts, such as tampering with documents, should also be investigated, the order said.

(With inputs from agencies)