JOIN USThe statutory powers vested with the 12 standing committees in the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) should be restored for ward-level works, Active Citizens Network, an NGO, has demanded.
In a press release, the NGO stated that the powers vested with bureaucrats in the BBMP should be distributed among the 12 standing committees for effective monitoring and better utilisation of funds for ward-level works undertaken by the Palike as per a government notification dated July 30, 2010.
“However, BBMP Additional Commissioner, K V Trilokchandra, by issuing a circular on October 5, 2013, has withdrawn some powers vested with the standing committees for ward-level works,” said B H Veeresh, a trustee of the NGO.
“Powers, duties and responsibilities vested with a statutory standing committee should not be taken back by any administrative order. It is (a) violation of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act (1976).” According to him, there have been irregularities in payments and execution of work.
“The Draft Audit report submitted by the Chief Auditor of BBMP on inspection of various unit offices shows that payment is being made for selective work illegally without approval from the standing committee. Many a time, approval was sought from standing committees which were not assigned with the responsibility.
This has resulted in payment without execution of work. The top-level changes are the result of nothing but a corrupt administrative work,” Veeresh added.