BBMP accounts upgradation: Officials ignore Mayor and legislators

The BBMP Accounts Standing Committee chairperson Netra Narayan has made serious allegations that the BBMP officials have ignored legislators and the Standing Committee and taken unilateral decisions, reported Kannada Prabha.

Speaking at a press meet at the Palike office on Thursday, she accused that the officials were asked to provide necessary information to upgrade the accounting system which was originally adapted in 2001. But the officials misused their position and formed their own committee and prepared guidelines without bringing to the notice of the Standing Committee or involving the Mayor or legislators, which is mandatory.

As per rules, Mayor will be the president and Deputy Mayor member for such committees. The decisions taken at the committee meeting should be brought to the notice of the standing Committee. However the officials threw all rules to the wind and the special commissioner formulated guidelines and got it printed without any debate. This is unacceptable. Hence, all the corporetors have to discuss the suggestions and finalise.

The upgradation of accounts will give a clear picture of the funds being utilised, the revenue generated, funds released for specific civil works, total budget of the civil works and the amount agreed upon after revaluation etc. But the officers have made their own guidelines, she accused.

The special commissioner had said that the accounting system at BBMP was being degitalised. Until now, it has not been done.  According to the auditors Rs 1200 crores has to be collected.  But there is no information about how much is collected from which source. There are only data operators appointed in the BBMP. They are paid Rs 73 lakh annually but they are of no use she alleged.

She also complained that there is no information available about the number of sanctioned posts at BBMP.  Several officials on deputation are not aware of their work. An officer from KSFC has been deputed as Rain Water Canal Engineer with a monthly salary of Rs 1 lakh. A BBMP officer in the same grade gets Rs 60,000.  Another Umesh on deputation as Executive Engineer gets Rs 1.50 lakh salary per month. BBMP Executive Engineer in the same rank gets Rs 73,000.  The commissioner must look into all such discrepancies, Netra Narayan urged.

The Chief Finance Officer does not know any information about the BBMP bank accounts even. When asked he gives a vague answer like “may be 80”. If the Finance Officer does not know the bank accounts of BBMP, how will he know if someone hacks in and draws money she asked.

• BBMP Upgradation Committee
• Rules not followed