The Bruhat Benglauru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is embroiled in an alleged ‘double payment’ scam running to Rs. 21.42 crore, for the maintenance and upkeep of roads. The first payment for works done was made on June 18, followed by another payment of the same amount on June 21. The matter was the subject of a heated debate in the BBMP council meeting here on Wednesday. Now, an inquiry has been ordered into the matter.
In the first week of June, the Finance Department of the civic agency had received a total of 109 bills from contractors.
On June 15, an RTGS form was duly signed and sent to be processed to the bank. This form was then used twice to release the same amount of money again to the same contractors. The matter came to light a few days after some of the payments to the contractors were realised. BBMP’s chief accounts officer wrote a letter to the commissioner and also sent an email to the bank to stop payment. But by then, most of the double payments had already been made, alleged councilmen.
“There are 27 works in five zones that have been billed twice. About Rs. 9 crore of this amount has been withdrawn by a contractor who is not even from the State. The process to recover this money is a long-drawn-out legal process,” said BJP leader N.R. Ramesh. BBMP Commissioner N. Manjunath Prasad has stopped all remaining payments arising from these contracts. He has ordered a Technical Vigilance Cell under the Commissioner to investigate the issue and a report will be submitted in a few days.The Chief Auditor of the BBMP informed the Mayor that he was not sure who had messed up the paperwork in his department. The works involved construction of a RCC retaining wall in R.R. Nagar zone and upgrading of Kempe Gowda Road, Nrupathunga Road, Modi Hospital Road, Siddaiah Puranik Road and Jayanagar 11th Main Road.
Timeline
109 bills received
and RTGS form
signed on June 15
First payment made
on June 18 and second payment on June 21
Exact amount withdrawn not disclosed
