MCC assistant commr pays for 'callousness'

The officer failed to produce documents despite repeated instructions

The minister who was on inspection tour, taking stock of the civic works ahead of 401st Dasara festivities set to begin from Wednesday, was irked at the officer for failing to produce the related documents.

What added to his ire was the callousness on the part of the officer even after repeated instructions to show the work related records. The minister who overheard the officer asking another over phone to bring the documents, eventually ordered for his suspension.

Speaking to media the minister said though a notice informing about the inspection had been sent to officers in prior, the officer had come unprepared, explaining the reason for the action taken against the erring babu.

The case of suspension will be referred to Justice Venkatesh Commission a panel already constituted to inquire into the quality of works.

What came to fore during the exercise was the divergent opinions among the officers about the third party inspection of the asphaltation works of Lalitha Mahal road starting from M L Somasundaram Circle (near Race course).

The work was taken up in the year 2009 under the chief minister’s special grant of Rs 100 crore.

It all started when the men attached to CADD station, Saraswathipuram, a third party agency to inspect quality began to drill the asphalt using core testing machine.

When the minister asked for the report, an officer attached to the agency claimed innocence saying- the road wasn’t under their purview, but were drilling the road as a matter of courtesy.

Peeved over the reply, the minister enquired about the issue with MCC superintendent engineer Mahesh. The officer clarified that Manasa, a Bangalore based agency was entrusted with the third party job for a period of one year when the works were launched two years ago.

But, it couldn’t convince the minister as the civic body was yet to appoint an agency for third party inspection even after one year.

Moreover, when drilled at several places, the thickness of the asphalt was also not up to the mark with varied measurement at 23 mm, 26 mm and 25.5 mm against the actual 25 mm thickness.

The minister who also inspected Vayu Vihara road (from Kurubarahalli junction to Mymul) passing through Siddartha Nagar main road, seized the diary of CADD station for failing to record the work related details.

An officer attached to the station made a vain bid to convince the minister showing the latter about the temperature, recorded on his cellphone video camera. The widening of the particular stretch was one among the 56 works taken up by the civic body at an estimated cost of Rs 6.5 crore.

The minister told media that of the total works, 26 have been executed and most of them are nearing completion. To ensure quality, the bills will be cleared only after thorough inspection of the works.

MCC commissioner K S Raykar who endorsed the minister said ‘Manasa, the third party agency is not responding to the repeated communication after the expiry of its term.

Following this, CADD station has been requested to take over the responsibility. The lapses will be addressed soon, he promised.

Mayor Pushpalatha Chikkanna, deputy mayor M J Ravikumar, executive engineer Kishore Kumar, assistant engineer Raveendra and others were present.

Artistes panel formed

MCC has constituted a panel of artistes to study into the painting of compound walls of the heritage and private buildings of the city. MCC commissioner K S Raykar told media the panel that consists of noted Ganjifa artiste Raghupathi Bhat among others will submit a report. It is only after taking the cognisance of the report, changes will be made, if any in the project, that has already drawn flak among a section of artistes and also concerned citizens.