Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Commissioner Siddaiah has again written to the Department of Urban Development seeking permission to hand over the investigation of the multi-crore scam to the Lokayukta.
It may be recalled that the BBMP had earlier written to the Additional Chief Secretary of the department seeking permission to hand over investigation of the Rs. 1,539-crore fake bills scam in three divisions of the BBMP — Malleswaram, Gandhinagar and Rajarajeshwarinagar. It is said that the department had sought some additional information from the BBMP.
Detailed letter
Commissioner Siddaiah told The Hindu he had sent a detailed letter to the Additional Chief Secretary on Thursday.
“We have included some details that were sought and information on works executed in the three divisions. We have also devised a format and have requested permission to hand over investigation of not just three divisions, but all the divisions under BBMP, to the Lokayukta,” he said.
He said that it was now up to the State Government to take a call on the issue. The Additional Chief Secretary could now either just get the Chief Minister's approval or wait for the Cabinet's.
In the light of the fire that gutted documents and ravaged offices in the BBMP head office on Saturday, the BBMP has devised a plan to put in place a tighter security system.
Security and new gates
As a first step in this direction, it plans to replace the three gates with 10-foot, corrugated metal gates, similar to those at the Vidhana Soudha and the Vikasa Soudha.
A source said other security measures would include metal detectors and special cubicles near the gates for security personnel.
More closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras with better resolution would also be installed across the BBMP head office.
