The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike councillors and an MLA opposed the report submitted by Technical Vigilance Cell under Commissioner (TVCC), according to which nearly 40 per cent of the works undertaken in eight wards last year, were unnecessary.
The committee had chosen one ward from each zone for inspection.
Basavanagudi MLA Ravi Subramanya stated that the observations made in the report were far from truth and termed them ‘nonsense’. He alleged that the inspection was not conducted through a proper channel.
According to officials, the inspection was conducted within two hours and it could not be possible.
Basavanagudi councillor Katte Sathyanarayana said that the officials were insulting the elected representatives and demanded the commissioner to summon them for giving clarifications.
Ruling party leader Nagaraj alleged that the inspection was conducted when the works were going on.
Dr Rajkumar ward councillor Gangabhyraiah accused the officials of giving the report to media without permission from higher authorities.
“The report portrays us as thieves. But the officials are the real thieves,” he charged.
Girinagar councillor Lalitha questioned on which grounds the wards were selected for the enquiry.
“Why only eight wards were selected when there are 198 wards in the city? It is an unscientific way to chose one ward from each zone through lottery system,” she alleged.
Commissioner Defends Officials
Answering to their questions, in-charge Commissioner Siddaiah said that he has spoken to the officials and it is a lapse to reveal the report to the media without the consent of the higher officials.
However, he defended the officials. They have observed that many works were taken up unnecessarily.
“The officials have been working in the vigilance wing for many years. They are experienced and one should not restrain them from making such observations,” he said.