Budget allotted for heritage tank rejuvenation, BBMP diverts it for temple arch

Technical Vigilence Committee charges BBMP of misuse of Rs 50 lake development fund BBMP alloted Rs 50 lakh fund  for heritage tank development in 2011,but  BBMP diverted fund for temple arch The report was given in 2015, still no action againt engineers responsible for misappropration. The lake activists say, the same estimation for tank used to build temple arch raises tranparency issue

The technical vigilance committee  of BBMP has reveal that the BBMP Bommanahalli division which was suppose to spend Rs 50 lakh on Vasanthapura tank rejuvenation, spent all its money on Vasantha Vallabharaya temple arch. The officials suspects that the BBMP officials would have created bogus bill as well.

The report states that in 2011-2012, BBMP engineers from Bommanahalli Zone were given the budget of Rs 50 lakh for over all development of Kalyani. The estimation included dewatering, grill gate in 1.33 acres of tank, earthwork levelling and lowering, earthwork for foundation, use of soft rock for bunds, steel, concrete was taken into consideration and Rs 50 lakh was alloted, but the local engineers have diverted the funds and and have used the same estaimation for temple arch.

"It is clear cut violation and misappropration of funds. The Chief Engineer's office of Bommanahalli zone has given records of development of temple arch, where as the Rs 50 lakh is for development of heritage tank. There will be difference of amount but the officials have not shown it. They cannot use the same amount for other project,"said Prabhakar, former Technical Vigilence Committee head.

Jagannath Rao, Deputy Conservator of Forest and Lakes expressed shock over the misuse of funds by BBMP engineers. "If the budget is for lake or forest development in BBMP, the amount must be diverted to concerned department. In this case, forget transferring amount, the lake division was not even informed about the project. The engineering division should be held responsible," he said.

City Mayor G Padmavathi who was appraised about the misuse of funds assured to bring the topic in monthly council meeting and also summon all the officials concerned with Vasanthapura Kalyani development between 2011-2012.

Representing United Bengaluru a forum of NGO's and experts, Sridhar Pabbisetty, CEO Namma Bengaluru Foundation and lake activist expressed concern over suffering of water bodies in BBMP limits.

"This is a clear case of gross misappropriation of funds. The other issue is that the Kalyani is under threat from real estate lobby. Earlier people tried to put a road on 300 year old heritage tank. This is very evident of official and public representatives nexus in encroachment and also funds diversion. United Bengaluru will consider legal option and press for prosecution of people responsible for misappropriation of funds and neglecting water body," said Pabbisetty.