ZP resolves to probe into illegalities in tender for printing job cards

The Zilla Panchayat general meeting resolved to conduct a probe into the alleged illegalities in the tender process for the printing of job cards under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

ZP President B S Chaitrashri said that a committee will be constituted to carry out a thorough probe into the alleged illegalities.

Member Sharath Krishnamurthy said before the tender process, a printing centre had supplied 30,000 cards to Kadur TP office and 26,000 cards to Chikkamagaluru TP office. However, the officials are unaware of it, he said.

A short-term tender to supply 71,000 job cards to GPs was invited on February 17. The due date for which was on March 3. As per the tender conditions, the contractor should have an annual business turnover of at least Rs 1.5 crore. When the condition was brought to the notice of the CEO, changes were made.

ZP CEO Satyabhama said that there was a shortage of job cards. Hence, a demand was placed before the government printing press to supply of job cards. It is not clear as to from where the job cards were supplied to the taluk panchayats. Job card tender has been entrusted to Shashi Printers, Bengaluru. There were a few objections to the tender process. Hence, the ZP wrote to the government, seeking clarification. No payment has been made yet for the printing of job cards, he added.

Member Ramaswamy said that there were illegalities in the process of appointment of 17 hobli coordinators and 7 taluk managers in National Rural Livelihood Mission.

The ZP CEO responded to this by asking the member not to make baseless allegations. "The applications were invited online. Even the admit cards had to be downloaded by the applicants. After the exam, the answer scripts have been sent to Bengaluru for valuation. Further, CCTV cameras were installed in examination centres."

Demanding the release of grants for drinking water projects, the BJP ZP members cut short the meeting and left for DC office to submit a memorandum to DC M K Srirangaiah.