JOIN USHe criticised the Mayor's demand for transfer of the commissioner and said the Mayor was trying to protect the corrupt officials.
He said the Mayor seemed to be anxious about commissioner handing over the inquiry to the Lokayukta. To save himself, the Mayor might have sought for commissioner's transfer, he added.
Nagaraj said the Palike had suffered heavy monetary losses due to maladministration by certain BBMP officers. "When the commissioner is slowly trying to curb the defaulting officials in the Palike administration, it is not right on the part of Mayor and MLA to seek for the commissioner's transfer," he said.
In the absence of the elected body, the chief minister, who looked after the urban development department should be held responsible for the losses suffered by the Palike due to maladministration by BBMP officials, Nagaraj argued.
In 2008-09 and 2009-10, Palike works worth Rs 3,500 were illegally sanctioned 'work codes' on which a report has already been submitted. Commissioner Siddaiah’s action in suspending the officials, said Nagaraj, was a “good” move.
The face-off
Mayor S K Nataraj’s demand for transfer of BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah stems from the latter making decisions without consulting the Mayor. The Commissioner had decided to take up work related to BBMP schools and anganwadi buildings through the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited whereas in the council meeting, it was decided to take up work worth Rs one lakh in each ward. The decision related to hike in garbage contractor's fee by five per cent was not implemented by the commissioner and he suspended a few officers without consulting the Mayor.