Minister recommends superseding N'gud TMC

Upset over ‘maladministration’ in the Nanjangud Town Municipal Council, Medical Education and District In-Charge S A Ramdas said he has recommended for superseding the elected body and appointing an efficient administrative officer.

The Minister’s surprise visit to the Municipality on Saturday exposed the poor administration, misappropriation of funds, particularly ` five crore granted by the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa for the development of the town.

He ordered immediate suspension of the Chief Officer of Municipality V Ramaswamy, Junior Engineer Kumar and a first division assistant Kupparaj. “I will recommend the government to supersede the municipality. The gross negligence of the authorities and the inefficient administration has been brought to the notice of Minister for Urban Development Suresh Kumar. I will submit a detailed report to the government on Monday,” he told reporters.

He pointed out that there was a misappropriation of grant given by the government.
There are specific guidelines for utilisation of the funds under various verticals like water supply, roads, storm water drains and others.

But, the Municipality has failed to adhere to these norms. The officials are also found to be hand-in-glove with contractors executing various works as there was no proper bills and receipts for any work.

There was also no accountability.  

During his surprise visit, the Minister grilled the officials for more than two hours for improper maintenance of attendance register and for failing to introduce biometric attendance.
 
He also questioned the officers for not maintaining a diary and make entry of their schedule on duty. Surprisingly, the Chief Officer who is the head of the municipality was unaware of the total staff strength in office and had no clue about the number of services and sections of Municipality.

Even as the minister pulled up the officials for their tardy work, public complaints poured in during his visit. They blamed the municipality for poor infrastructure in the town.

“Not a single road is asphalted. All the roads are filled with potholes and mud. The citizens have to go through a nightmare everyday as a spell of rain creates slush on road, while dry day raises dust. There was no proper utilisation of the CM’s grant of ` 5 crore ,” a citizen said.

He directed Tahasildar Naveen Joseph to serve notice on 12 employees who were absent on the day without giving leave letter and asked him to deduct day’s salary of those who arrive late to office continuously for more than four days.

The Tahasildar was also asked to implement biometric attendance in the municipality office before June 1.