Govt invoked special powers

The corporators on Friday created hullabaloo over the short-term garbage tenders floated by the Palike without bringing the matter in the Council.

But little did they know that the State government exercised the special powers conferred on it under Sections 95 and 96 of the Karnataka Municipal Council (KMC) Act to take decision on cases of utmost public importance.

The special Council meeting was convened to discuss the garbage contracts. But 12 hours before the meeting began, the Commissioner floated the short-term garbage tenders.

In the morning, when the meeting began, the corporators were baffled with the State government's move. They questioned the objective behind calling the meeting when the decision was already taken. “It is like engagement after marriage,” said the Opposition leader M K Gunashekar.

Mayor in dark

Even the Mayor was not aware of the development. Speaking to Deccan Herald, Mayor D Venkatesh Murthy said he was unaware that the Commissioner had already
uploaded the short-term tender notice in the e-procurement portal of the State government.

“I was not aware of the tender. Because it is related to the administration, I did not bother to go into the details. I had discussed the provisions to be incorporated in the tender notification with the Deputy Chief Minister and former chief minister Yeddyurappa,” said the Mayor.

Letter to commissioner

On Tuesday, the Mayor had invited all the corporators for the special meeting to discuss the issue of garbage contract.

On the same day, the commissioner wrote a letter to the State government seeking permission to float short-term tenders and minutes later, the government not only gave a go ahead but also exercised its powers to float tenders.

Following the State government directive, Commissioner Rajneesh Goel uploaded the short-term tender in the midnight.