The Hindu 23.08.2012
Councillors allege scam in purchases by Davangere City Corporation
D.N. Jagadish, Leader of Opposition in the Davangere
City Corporation council, alleged that the corporation had purchased
computers, sewing machines and gas stoves, and taken LPG connections
worth crores of rupees under the 22.75 per cent grants meant for the
welfare of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the district,
violating the Karnataka Transparency and Public Procurement Act.
Mr.
Jagadish, and K.G. Shivakumar and Dinesh K. Shetty, councillors, told
presspersons here on Wednesday that before purchasing any of these
items, a proposal should have been placed before the general body of the
corporation and its consent obtained, which the corporation had failed
to do. They alleged that the former chairman of the standing committee
(Finance) Rudramuniswamy, corporation Commissioner Prasanna Kumar and
the accounts officer had purchased the material “secretly”.
Mr.
Jagadish alleged 1,850 gas connections were given to beneficiaries and
an equal number of gas stoves were purchased. Besides, he said 600
sewing machines and hundreds of computers were also bought.
Mr.
Jagadish said that he would lodge a complaint with the Lokayukta and
added that he would write to senior officials of the Urban Development
Department to probe the matter.
Mr. Prasanna
Kumarruled out procedural lapses in the purchase of the items and said
the corporation had obtained permission from the Deputy Commissioner
before buying them.
He said that the items were distributed to beneficiaries as recommended by councillors, including Jagadish.
Mr.
Kumar added that the standing committee had approved the purchase of
the items and added there was no truth in the allegations of corruption.
- Councillors say the Karnataka Transparency and Public Procurement Act has been violated
- Commissioner denies allegations, rules out procedural lapses in purchases
