BJP trying to scuttle scam investigation?

Until now, it was only through the grapevine that one heard about the “measures” that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was taking to scuttle the investigation into the multi-crore scam in works taken up in three divisions of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). It is now blatantly in the open.

Letter to Commissioner

On November 15, G. Manjunath Raju, chairperson of Standing Committee for Taxation and Finance, wrote to the BBMP Commissioner asking why the civic body had filed a complaint with the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF). His letter at this juncture raises doubts on whether the BJP wants the investigation into the Rs.1,539 crore scam to continue.

In his letter, Mr. Raju sought to know under what provision of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act 1976, Commissioner Siddaiah had directed the officials of the Technical Vigilance Committee under the Commissioner (TVCC) to collect files pertaining to the works from the committee, which was already looking into the scam, for investigation. He also asked why the TVCC report was not submitted to either Mayor Sharadamma or the standing committee concerned and why the issue was not tabled in the previous council meeting.

Siddaiah's response

In response, Mr. Siddaiah has said he has only discharged duties under the powers granted to him as per Section 64 of the KMC Act 1976. He said there were no records to show that the standing committee was looking into the scam. “So, the question of the Commissioner ignoring this fact does not arise and as a natural course of action, the investigation was handed over to the BMTF,” he said.

He said that he got wind of the multi-crore scam on October 12 and directed the TVCC to look into it. The TVCC submitted its report on November 3. “No Council meetings were held after that. Once the investigation is completed, we will place the report before it for a final decision on action to be initiated against those named,” he added in the letter.

Lukewarm to probe

Meanwhile, sources said that neither the Congress (largest Opposition Party in the BBMP Council) nor the ruling BJP want the investigation to continue. “Both parties have already reached an understanding. Most councillors want a Council committee to be formed to look into the scam. That way, all interests are protected,” sources said.

But Janata Dal (Secular) Floor Leader Padmanabha Reddy has pre-empted this by declaring he would not want any JD(S) member to be included in the committee as, as per the KMC Act, there was no provision to form such a body. He said the Standing Committee for Taxation and Finance has no power to look into documents and files pertaining to works executed. “It can only look into revenue matters,” he added.