BNN: Karnataka: Monday, 4 March 2024.
Months after the Karnataka Information Commission's directive, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) remains inactive over a crucial case involving missing files related to Storm Water Drains (SWD) maintenance. The order, issued on October 13, 2023, instructed the BBMP's Executive Engineer to file a police complaint, yet action is pending as the civic body claims non-receipt of the order. This inaction comes to light amidst allegations of fabricated bills and non-existent work by a supposedly contracted company.
Discovery of Missing Documents
When RTI activist B. Balakrishna sought details on the annual maintenance of SWD, it surfaced that the BBMP lacked any records of the transactions. Following unsuccessful appeals within the BBMP, the case escalated to the Karnataka Information Commission, leading to the shocking revelation of missing files. The Commission's investigation concluded with an order for the BBMP to lodge a formal complaint, a directive the body has yet to comply with.
Allegations of Corruption
Scrutiny over the BBMP's dealings intensified with claims of paying ₹100 crore to a non-existent company for SWD maintenance. Activist Veeresh, leveraging downloaded BBMP bills, alleges significant corruption, accusing the civic body of concealing malpractices by withholding information. This case has since drawn attention from the Right to Information Study Centre, prompting a complaint to Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, urging action against the implicated officials.
Pending Legal Action and Civic Accountability
As the BBMP stalls on filing the police complaint, the civic body's commitment to transparency and accountability is under scrutiny. The delay not only hampers the pursuit of justice but also raises concerns over the governance of Bengaluru's urban infrastructure. With the case poised for a hearing on March 7, stakeholders await decisive action that could set a precedent for handling similar incidents of alleged corruption within civic bodies.
This unfolding saga reflects the broader challenges of ensuring transparency and accountability in urban governance. As the BBMP grapples with the directive's implications, the outcome could influence public trust in civic institutions and their ability to manage public funds responsibly. Stakeholders remain watchful, hoping for a resolution that reinforces the integrity of civic administration.
Months after the Karnataka Information Commission's directive, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) remains inactive over a crucial case involving missing files related to Storm Water Drains (SWD) maintenance. The order, issued on October 13, 2023, instructed the BBMP's Executive Engineer to file a police complaint, yet action is pending as the civic body claims non-receipt of the order. This inaction comes to light amidst allegations of fabricated bills and non-existent work by a supposedly contracted company.
Discovery of Missing Documents
When RTI activist B. Balakrishna sought details on the annual maintenance of SWD, it surfaced that the BBMP lacked any records of the transactions. Following unsuccessful appeals within the BBMP, the case escalated to the Karnataka Information Commission, leading to the shocking revelation of missing files. The Commission's investigation concluded with an order for the BBMP to lodge a formal complaint, a directive the body has yet to comply with.
Allegations of Corruption
Scrutiny over the BBMP's dealings intensified with claims of paying ₹100 crore to a non-existent company for SWD maintenance. Activist Veeresh, leveraging downloaded BBMP bills, alleges significant corruption, accusing the civic body of concealing malpractices by withholding information. This case has since drawn attention from the Right to Information Study Centre, prompting a complaint to Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, urging action against the implicated officials.
Pending Legal Action and Civic Accountability
As the BBMP stalls on filing the police complaint, the civic body's commitment to transparency and accountability is under scrutiny. The delay not only hampers the pursuit of justice but also raises concerns over the governance of Bengaluru's urban infrastructure. With the case poised for a hearing on March 7, stakeholders await decisive action that could set a precedent for handling similar incidents of alleged corruption within civic bodies.
This unfolding saga reflects the broader challenges of ensuring transparency and accountability in urban governance. As the BBMP grapples with the directive's implications, the outcome could influence public trust in civic institutions and their ability to manage public funds responsibly. Stakeholders remain watchful, hoping for a resolution that reinforces the integrity of civic administration.
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