BREAKING: Lokayukta raids BESCOM and BWSSB offices in Bengaluru following public complaints
By Vinaykumar Patil | First Published Dec 19, 2024, 4:15 PM ISTKarnataka Lokayukta raided 45 BESCOM and BWSSB offices in Bengaluru after receiving 146 public complaints of corruption and inefficiency. Led by Lokayukta B.S. Patil, officials uncovered lapses, unaccounted cash, and missing records. Notices and detailed investigations have been promised.
In a massive crackdown, Karnataka Lokayukta officials conducted simultaneous raids at 45 locations across Bengaluru on BESCOM (Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company) and BWSSB (Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board) offices. The action came in response to a flood of public complaints about alleged corruption, nepotism, and inefficiencies within these two government bodies.
Lokayukta Chief B.S. Patil personally led the raids, while Deputy Lokayukta K.N. Panindra and other senior officials actively participated in the inspections. The operation targeted key offices, including the Superintending Engineer’s office located in Crescent Tower, where several irregularities were discovered.
Bengaluru man cheats 22 people of Rs 2 crore promising house lease through NoBroker app, absconds
Latest Videos
One of the major findings included Executive Engineer G.M. Amarnath Reddy’s failure to maintain a proper register of officials, a mandatory document crucial for ensuring departmental accountability. Deputy Lokayukta Panindra reprimanded the officer on the spot and stressed the importance of transparency and proper record-keeping in public offices.
The Lokayukta launched the raids after registering 83 suo motu complaints against BESCOM and 63 against BWSSB. Complaints ranged from allegations of corruption and delays in handling public applications to obstruction in service delivery and nepotism. The Lokayukta granted permission for the search operation based on the gravity of these allegations.
Bengaluru: Okalipura junction’s signal-free corridor to open by February end
Deputy Lokayukta Panindra later revealed alarming lapses, including the absence of staff attendance records and a lack of proper documentation of entry and exit timings in the offices. Officials also flagged unexplained cash found on employees. For instance, one employee had ₹12,000 in cash but failed to provide a clear explanation for it. The Lokayukta has promised to issue notices and conduct a detailed inquiry into these discrepancies.
The raids underline the Lokayukta’s commitment to addressing public grievances and rooting out corruption in government offices.
subscribe to Asianet Newsable WhatsApp channel by clicking here. For more reliable and latest news
subscribe to Asianet Newsable Telegram channel by clicking here.