After a spate of scams, the BBMP’s image is taking a further beating. This time, it is a scam in maintenance of street lights.
Interestingly, when the Technical Vigilance Cell under the Commissioner (TVCC) was about to submit its report on the street light scam to BBMP commissioner M. K. Shankarlinge Gowda, Mayor D. Venkatesh Murthy is alleged to have intervened and taken away the file, allegedly to shield the guilty!
According to highly placed sources, the BBMP had invited tenders through e-procurement for 127 packages costing Rs 42 crore. But BBMP chief engineer Govindaraj (electrical), who is on deputation from Bescom, is alleged to have connived in favouring the contractors and approved the tenders though it was not according to norms. Mr Govindaraj has deliberately approved the wrong evaluation and had obtained approval from the commissioner. “Despite irregularities like wrong uploads, lack of men and machinery with the contractors, Mr Govindaraj had ‘approved’ the file and obtained approval from the BBMP commissioner too,” the sources said.
Following the complaints and tip-off from the public, Mr Shankarlinge Gowda smelt a rat and ordered for a TVCC inquiry. Preliminary findings reveal that at least Rs 10 to 12 crore in tax payers’ money is being squandered due to the street light maintenance scam, the sources said. Even as the TVCC was just about to submit its report, the mayor is alleged to have intervened and taken away the vital files, allegedly to shield the erring contractors and engineers.
However, speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Mayor Venkatesh Murthy denied taking away the files and said he only took the details of the scam from the TVCC engineers. “I have sought more details on the scam. I have called the engineers concerned to ascertain the facts,” he maintained.