BANGALORE: The Technical Vigilance Cell under Commissioner (TVCC) in the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will conduct a probe into the tenders that were called to take up works on Storm Water Drains (SWD). Mayor Shanthakumari has directed the Commissioner to order an inquiry into the tenders.
Former Deputy Mayor S Harish on Tuesday said every year, the BBMP spends crores on floods. “I asked the officials about the amount spent on desilting drains over the last four years. But officials said they have called for tenders worth `8 crore for 16 works in the past four months. The tenders were called without bringing it to the notice of the Council or Standing Committee.”
BBMP Commissioner M Lakshminarayana said as per a government order issued some time back, the Commissioner and Special Commissioner have the power to approve tenders of up to `60 lakh. “We only give approval. It is the responsibility of engineers to call for tenders and complete other formalities,” he said.
Harish further alleged that the amount for desilting shown by officials was too high and said one can build another Nandi Hills with the silt supposed to have been cleared. “I want to know where they have dumped the silt,” he said.
Opposition leader Manjunath Reddy said they wanted to know if the silt had been dumped in quarries. Mayor Shanthakumari said the matter will be referred to the TVCC and a report sought at the next council meeting.
The Commissioner said desilting work at Kempambudi lake is being taken up and water will be stored in the lake by next year.