Late night drama at BBMP office

Congress, JD(S) workers catch officials on night duty

Former Mayor, Ramchandrappa said the Palike officials were finalising the tenders for the project, when they came to know of the “midnight oil” burning at the BBMP head office. “The power supply was suddenly switched off as soon as we entered the BBMP office. The lights at the Chief Engineer’s chamber were still on when we first came in,” said Ramchandrappa.

The protesters claimed that at least 10 officials who were working on the tender process escaped through the back door and some even through the windows. Two Executive Engineers working with the major roads department were found leaving the office from the front door.

“We had to step out as the power went off. We were doing our routine work and are leaving now,” said Vijaykumar, one of the two engineers who was ‘caught’ while leaving the office. He claimed that they finish their work around the same time everyday.

Meanwhile, BBMP officials said that they were preparing for the upcoming BBMP budget to be presented towards the end of February. “With the poll code coming into force on Friday, the BBMP staff will be sent on election duty. There will be few hands to prepare the budget and the government will not listen to our excuses,” said an official. The officials maintained that they will continue with their budget preparation work even on Friday. Palike officials state that the agitators caught a frightened peon on duty and asked what was going on inside. “How can a peon answer the question” asked another official.