BENGALURU: The BBMP has the dubious distinction of allotting projects and handpicking single tenders to favour contractors and accepting tenders after the lapse of the stipulated date.
This practice has been exposed by BBMP’s audit report for the year 2010-11 which shows various projects worth Rs. 78.4 lakh have been entrusted to a single bidder without valid justification.
The BBMP floated tenders for resurfacing Immadihalli Main Road at Whitefield at a cost of Rs. 14.73 lakh. Since only one contractor participated in the bid, the chief engineers directed the executive engineer to re-tender the project. But the order has been flouted and the same contractor has been entrusted with the work.
The audit team has observed that the work has been bestowed by vested interests to favour the contractor.
An executive engineer cannot overlook the order of the chief engineer. This amounts to violation of the Karnataka Transparency and Public Procurement (KTPP) Act. The same error has been made during construction of toilets for SC/ST and improvement of roads and drains at Ambedkar Gutta at a cost of Rs. 12.89 lakhs.
Similar mischief has been noted under Projects wing of the BBMP, to the tune of Rs. 14.23 lakh for improvements in the yoga centre, meditation hall and maintenance of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar stadium and indoor complex.
Executive engineers have overlooked the orders of the chief engineer at KR Puram sub-division and considered a single tender for three projects worth Rs. 29.5 lakh.
In yet another revelation, the audit report says that the BBMP authorities have made a mistake by accepting the tender after the expiry of the stipulated period.
Although May 30, 2009 was the last date to submit tenders for the construction of Anganawadi building at Siddartha Colony in Jayanagar, the contractor was allowed to participate on June 1, 2009. The BBMP authorities have no documents to prove the extension of date or amendment.
“This has been done to favour contractor V. Ravikumar. The executive engineer and accounts superintendent must give an explanation for bestowing works worth Rs. 4.14 lakh,” the audit report observed.
