JOIN USImpressive numbers at first sight! However, Right to Information (RTI) activists have rejected the claim, calling the numbers a farce. About seven of 18 BBMP expert panel members based in Bangalore are nowhere located in the City, say RTI activists on account of them not registering with the Labour Department under the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961.
This revelation was made by a conglomeration of RTI organisation, Drive against Bribe, on Thursday. "Information derived from a recent RTI application found that seven of the 18 BBMP employed companies on the consultant panel had either shifted offices or were found missing from the City limits," says J Anand, a RTI activist.
M/s BECOM India Pvt Ltd and M/s Wapcos (I) Ltd are two firms that are allegedly "bogus" or "Benami" companies.
While Wapcos was shortlisted by the BBMP for their expertise on Rain Water Harvesting (RWH), Solid Waste Management, Environment Management and Basic Service to the Urban Poor, BECOM India Pvt Ltd, was on the panel for RWH. A third company, Jalavahini Management Services was on the panel of Engineering and Architects and Basic Services to the Urban Poor is also claimed by the activists as a “bogus” company for not being registered with the Labour Department.
After cross checking with the Labour Department, activists found that the offices never existed in the location which was given to the BBMP. "In the case of the above three companies, the Labour Department officials on inspection found that there were no offices located in the area by those names," says Anand.
When contacted by Deccan Herald, BBMP officials were unable to confirm the legitimacy of these companies. Unconfirmed reports suggest that even a reputed company like Price WaterHouse Cooper (PWC) had shut shop and moved out.