It’s officials versus corporators in BMP

It’s officials versus corporators in BMP
Deccan Herald

With just about 60 days to go before their term ends, the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Council on Tuesday saw the corporators, led by leader of the ruling Congress H Ravindra, blur political identities and re-draw the battle lines in the BMP as officials versus corporators.

With just about 60 days to go before their term ends, the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Council on Tuesday saw the corporators, led by leader of the ruling Congress H Ravindra, blur political identities and re-draw the battle lines in the BMP as officials versus corporators.

The Council meeting was largely about - why no work is being done? Why no funds are released? Why tender processes are taking time? — and more. Corporators, largely from the Congress and BJP benches, appealed to the officials to buck up and help them finish whatever work they can in the short time that is left of their term.

The main Opposition JD (S) put in its complaint mildly - bar Ms Marimuthu (Ward 90, Saggayipuram). She noted that though exclusive funds from under the Mayor’s grant and MLAs grant have been sanctioned for asphaltation and footpath works in her ward and work code is also identified, the work per se has not taken off.


Among others, the corporators also charged the officials with delaying file clearance.

Refuting these charges Commissioner K Jairaj noted that spill over works amounting to over Rs 100 crore has been taken up since April. The pending works worth around another Rs 100 core will be completed by October 15, he said.

In a bid to ensure discipline across the host of its works, spillover works are being taken up on priority, other works will follow them, he said. The tenders for the programme of works (as drawn from the BMP-budget 2006-07) will be called shortly, he added.

HIGHLIGHTS

Gist of spillover works and pending files according to the information provided to the BMP council by the Commissioner:

*Spill over works completed since April 2006:

East Zone: No of works - 560, cost - Rs 26 crore

West Zone: No of works - 564, cost - Rs 33.69 cr

South Zone: No of works - 160, cost - Rs 66.90 cr

*Cost of pending spill over works:

East Zone: Rs 18 crore

West Zone: Rs 36 crore

South Zone: Rs 49 crore

*Number of pending files as on date:

East Zone: 390

West Zone: 272

South Zone: 240