With no checks, BBMP slips on financial front

BANGALORE: A single work code used for several projects. No inspection done on works for which whopping bills were produced. Projects approved over and above the stipulated budget... All these boil down to a single phrase — work code scam — that has swallowed at least Rs 3,500 crore from BBMP's coffers.

The scam, unearthed recently by the chief auditor's wing, has raised many questions among citizens about the pathetic state of BBMP's financial management.

The Palike, which is ascertaining facts behind the scam, may perhaps have to get into a self-disciplined mode by following its own best practices to maintain transparency in the system.

Between 2002 and 2004, BBMP used to present a bi-monthly financial report called 'Aarthika Darpana', which reflected ward work, cost of projects, percentage of their completion and other details. This public document was meant to maintain transparency in the Palike's functioning. But this was stopped in 2004 due to various reasons. According to civic experts and former corporators, it's time BBMP started publishing a financial report.

According to Ajit Phadnis, Loksatta party convener and national consultant for inter-parliamentary union, a reason for the scam could be absence of an Aarthika Darpana (financial mirror). "The Palike used to come up with a financial update. It was a device to enhance communication between the elected and official wings of the corporation, and was of great use to elected representatives in following up work in their words. If the corporators were willing, they could discuss the financial mirror with their constituents and thus get useful feedback. It must be re-introduced," said Phadnis. "In the absence of an elected council, there was no proper check-and-balance system when the scam took place," he opined.

Former mayor and Hanumanthnagar corporator K Chandrashekar agreed there was a need to restart the financial mirror. "To bring back transparency in the system, measures must be taken to start a report like Aarthika Darpana. Besides, the deputy mayor hasn't yet bothered to table the administrative report of the past three years before the council. Unless these practices are brought back, corruption in BBMP will not stop," he added.

However, to maintain transparency in the functioning, the taxation and finance standing committee is thinking of bringing out a monthly report with regard to budget-approved projects. "This will be a monthly report and similar to Aarthika Darpana where the progress of projects taken up in different wards will be mentioned," said committee chairman P N Sadashiva.

Fit for suo motu action
Reacting to the work code scam, MP and ABIDe task force convener Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, "The scam must be thoroughly probed and those guilty must be prosecuted. I think it is a fit case for suo motu action to be taken by the Lokayukta."