Construction began in 2000. Once the CMCs were merged with the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike to form the BBMP, the building was meant to house the Palike’s Dasarahalli zonal office.

But the change in the authority did little to speed up the building project. Yet, the construction costs shot up at an alarming rate.

The work was allotted at Rs 1.48 crore, which was 49.41 per cent more than the estimated cost. The contractor was given nine month’s time to complete the work. The contractor did not complete the work within the deadline of June 15, 2001. 

The then CMC commissioner took no action against the contractor for the inordinate delay. Instead, he revised the estimation in February 2006 to the tune of Rs 3.11 crore.

Chief Auditor (BBMP) K G Haleshappa, in his latest report, has raised objections to the revised estimation. As much as Rs 2.48 crore was found to be paid to the contractor.

Surprisingly, the Karnataka Sales Tax of Rs 2 lakh deducted from the contractor’s bill was repaid to the contractor himself.

All this, when works worth Rs 62.89 lakh was still pending.

Deposit returned
The audit report observed that revision of the estimation cannot be accepted as administrative approval from the State Government was not taken. As per rule 5 of KTPP 1999 the commissioner should have taken permission from the State to re-tender the work. It was a blatant violation of the Transparency Act, the report said.
The auditor also raised objections to the repayment of the security deposit of Rs 5.32 lakh collected from the contractor before the completion of the work.

The deposit had to be returned only after completion of the maintenance period, the report said.

Since the amount was returned well before the work was completed, the Assistant executive engineer, in-charge of the work and the then commissioner of CMC should be held responsible for the lapses, said the report.

Fund misuse
The auditor found that public money was misused to a large extent in the work. The contractor, observed the audit report, should be blacklisted as per the Karnataka PWD code and criminal case can be filed against him.
Similarly, action could also be taken against the Assistant Executive Engineer and the then CMC Commissioner under the  Karnataka Finance Code, the report said.

BBMP ZONAL OFFICE
*Work began in September 2000
*Deadline allotted for work: June 2001
*Estimated cost Rs 99 lakh
*Tender allotted at Rs 1.48 crore
*Revised estimation Rs 3.11 crore
*Work not yet completed
*Security deposit returned beforecompletion of work