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
