JOIN USBBMP commissioner scraps spill-over works of previous years
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Commissioner G Kumar Naik has ordered scrapping the 'spill-over' works of previous years, which have not been started yet.
Also, he has directed canceling payments for the work carried out using the Letter of Credit (LoC), until further orders.
The commissioner has made pre-audit of all the works by the Technical Vigilance Cell under Commissioner and online payments of bills compulsory in order to bring transparency and financial discipline in the financially ailing BBMP. In his May 6 order, Naik gave 18-point directions including scrapping the projects which drag year after year without even starting them although job codes are generated and work orders issued.
In his stern order, Naik said: “From May 6 onwards, no payments should be made for the spill-over works, which have not started yet. Executive engineers of the division concerned found flouting the order will invite disciplinary action.”
Naik instructed the officials that from May 6 onwards, online payments are a must for all the public works like lake development, planning and road infrastructure, ward wise works, stormwater drain division, solid waste management, traffic engineering cell, horticulture, electricity and other works. In this regard, he directed the Information Technology Cell to hire IT expert and train employees to learn how to make online payments.
“Until the online payment system is brought into effect, the Chief Accounts Officer (CAO) has been directed not to release payment for any bills including those with Letter of Credit (LoC),” said Naik. He added that bills with the LoC should not be entertained till the online payment system is in place.
He has also instructed the officials to personally review the payment of bills at the end of the month for the construction of houses for the SC/STs.
The Commissioner has directed the engineers to get the technical clearances of the work before making any payment and once all the necessary clearances are given, the scanned copy of the MB Book should be sent through internet-based system to the higher officials for clearances. Until clearance by the Chief Engineer of the TVCC, payments of any work should not be made.
A new system will also be brought into effect where the bill numbers will be automatically generated to strictly make payments to the contractors on seniority basis. Officers will not be permitted to start the work without getting the technical and administrative approvals.
The officials have also been told to submit a daily report about the road history/road inventory, details of Palike properties, daily revenue from various taxes, expenditure and other important details.
The Commissioner has also directed to introduce e-Swathu offering online Khatha to the property owners. A special meeting with the bank officials will be convened to educate them about the set of norms to be followed before making any payments related to the BBMP.