Several councillors launched a diatribe against officials who are working in Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on deputation for several years. The issue was debated and the councillors pointed out that many officials continue to serve in BBMP in violation of the Cadre and Service Rules.
The issue was raised by Nandini Layout councillor M. Nagaraj in the BBMP council that met to discuss star questions, here on Thursday. He sought to know why BBMP had not repatriated officials who had served more than five years to their parent departments. “As per the C and R Rules, officials on deputation can work in another department for a maximum of five years, including a two-year cooling off period.” Likening BBMP to a charitable organisation, he said officials come on deputation from other departments to BBMP with “influence letters”.
Byrasandra councillor N. Nagaraju said officials on deputation will have to be paid salaries on the scale of their parent departments. “This is causing a huge strain on the BBMP’s weak finances,” he said. Yediyur councillor N.R. Ramesh alleged that it was mostly officials on deputation who are trapped by the Lokayukta and charged that these officials lacked accountability.
“Even the BBMP Commissioner’s orders are set aside. Many departments, such as Town Planning and Forest, have more than the sanctioned staff strength,” said councillor S. Harish.
Several councillors pointed out that though the council had resolved several times that officials on deputation should be sent back to their parent departments, it had not been implemented. BBMP Commissioner M. Lakshminarayana said of the 385 engineers who are on deputation, 187 had served for more than three years in BBMP. “We have already written to the government to relieve these officials and depute others in their place in a phased manner.”
