BENGALURU: The Justice HN Nagamohan Das Commission on Saturday submitted its inquiry report on alleged irregularities in implementation of civil works, in 761 randomly selected jobs worth Rs 3,500 crore, implemented under the BBMP’s jurisdiction, during the previous BJP regime between 2019-20 and 2022-23.
It has recommended legal action against officials responsible for irregularities and administrative lapses, including issuing tenders and work orders, sub-standard work among others in the 8,900-page report. Since the officials, including engineers, were indulging in alleged corruption, colluding with contractors, the government has to deal with them individually, it said.
The commission was entrusted to investigate work related to solid waste management, lakes, rajakaluves and Smart City Project, which has more civil work compared to the other three. Solid waste management has limited civil work, as it is to do with the collection and disposal of waste.
The Smart City Project included 14,000 works, covering roads, buildings and cable works. Some were selected randomly with the help of an expert, a retired statistics department employee, and a formula evolved to apply to the remaining 90 per cent of works, according to sources.
Lapses were discovered in administration, estimation, procedure, accounts at different stages, bribes for returning EMD amount for those not given tenders and to refund security deposit after work is done, even when warranty period was over. It recommended institutionalising the dissemination of information from time to time, and guidelines and circulars issued by the government for officials. It also suggested that guilty officials be given an opportunity to give an explanation for lapses.
To assess sub-standard works, the expert team made a spot inspection and found that work lacked quality. In certain cases, roads were laid deviating from actual location.
BACKSTORY
July 13, 2023: DCM DK Shivakumar appeals to CM Siddaramaiah to conduct a thorough investigation
Aug 5, 2023: CM sets up four special investigation committees of experts
Dec 15, 2023: Committees dissolved following High Court order, investigation transferred to Justice HN Nagamohan Das Commission of Inquiry
April 20, 2024: Investigation was to include verification points of Commission of Inquiry and Special Investigation Committees; Commission of Inquiry to continue investigation
Commission did verification, selected 761 completed works -- 528 works randomly and 233 others — and found many deficiencies
Report recommends action against guilty officials as per law