With four Welfare Commissioners changed in nine months, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has not been able to implement welfare schemes successfully, as announced in the budget.
Though schemes to the tune of Rs 770 crore were announced during 2012-13, the BBMP has utilised only Rs 433 crore so far.
In May 2012, Y M Ramachandra Murthy who was the Joint Commissioner (Welfare) was transferred as Zonal Commissioner (Byatarayanapura). He was replaced by IAS officer Salma Fahim, who served as Additional Commissioner (Welfare) till December 2012. Subsequently Janappa, a KAS officer, served in the post until he was transferred as Bommanahalli Zonal Commissioner last month. At present, Hemaji Naik is posted as Joint Commissioner (Welfare).
Apart from the special welfare schemes such as providing gas cylinders to 100 houses in each ward and financial support to weavers, there are also regular schemes like conducting tailoring classes for women, issuing bicycles to the needy, and pushcarts and vehicles to unemployed youths.
With the frequent transfers, these schemes are either delayed or do not reach the beneficiaries, alleged Opposition leader M K Gunashekar. According to him, transfer of officials delays decision-making process, which had a direct impact on the beneficiaries.
“There are many schemes announced in the budget and funds were allotted for them. However, the target was not achieved,” he said.
According to the documents available with Express, till date the BBMP has been able to spend Rs 433 crore out of the Rs 770 crore announced for welfare schemes. With hardly a month left for the financial year to end, the BBMP has a “target” to spend Rs 337 crore.
Meanwhile, Opposition party members cried foul over the amount spent so far. Gunashekar alleged that BJP councillors utilised Rs 5 to Rs 10 crore per ward, whereas wards of other party members did not receive any funds at all. Congress Councillor K Doddanna said his ward had not received a single rupee so far. “We are not able to give bicycles or construct houses for the poor,” he alleged.
Post to be Removed?
Chairperson of Standing Committee (Administrative Reforms) V Vagish said the BBMP Council approved the amended Cadre and Recruitment Rules. “According to the draft, the BBMP does not require the post of Joint Commissioner (Welfare). Not much work has been executed by the officials who have handled the post in the past three years. We have planned to remove this post and give the powers to Zonal Commissioners. It will save money too,” he said.