Kataria committee exposes glaring lapses in BBMP

The Kataria Committee that probed lapses and irregularities in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) since 2008, has exposed glaring errors committed by the Palike. Many irregularities were found in the areas of solid waste management, allotment of work codes for civil work, advertistements, transfer of khatas, revenue recovery, repayment of loans among others.

The committee, headed by IAS officer Rajendra Kumar Kataria was formed in February this year. Kataria told Deccan Herald that the lengthy enquiry report running into more than 80 pages was submitted to the state government in March.

The committee, after examining the previous Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG report) and Technical Vigilance Cell under Commissioner (TVCC) reports in the past, has concluded that 63 out of 183 vehicle fitness certificates were not renewed for vehicles that transported Municipal Solid Waste ( MSW). 

Another finding was that 1,099 out of 3,204 vehicles used in transportation of waste were registered before 2006. This is in violation of MSW rules. Kataria also said that the committee found massive corruption in MSW managementand execution of civil works.

There have been irregularities and violations in vehicles which used to transport waste and in floating of garbage tenders among others. Similarly, in civil works, there was no transparency as there was duplication in allotment of work codes, and double payments in many cases. “I have recommended to the State government to further probe into this by constituting a special team with experts," said Kataria. 

Major findings of Kataria committee

n Fake estimates were prepared pertaining to 3,303 civil works of the year 2010-11 and 230 works (2013-14).

n More than 20,000 hoardings are put up in the city unauthorisedly.

n Solid waste collection and disposal are not carried out properly, in spite of incurring cost of about Rs 350 crore per annum.

n BBMP has not prepared data pertaining to road circuit for laying of Optical Fibre Network (OFC).

n During 2009-10, civil works amounting to Rs 2,184.18 crore were in excess of the budget amount.

Committee’s recommendations

n Fix jurisdiction to the wards and zones to avoid overlapping of jurisdiction and allocation of civil works.

n Introduce clear guidelines for allotment of rights for the hoardings, banners and advertisements.

n Identify dumping area / landfill sites with a proper mechanism for weighment and scientific

disposal of waste at sites. 

n Prepare the road network diagram for OFC cables already laid and to be laid in future.

n Develop file routing systems and file tracking systems to have better control over budget.