BENGALURU: In less than 24 hours of leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, Jagadish Shettar, alleging a scam in awarding a contract for installation of water testing laboratories through blatant violation of rules, rural development and panchayat raj minister, H.K. Patil, on Saturday admitted to wrong doing by officers of his department, cancelled orders for setting up 46 test facilities, and ordered a CID probe into “organized crime.”
Addressing the media here, Mr. Patil admitted to serious lapses in awarding contract for installation of water testing laboratories in 146 taluks at a cost of Rs. 190 crores. In fact, the officials went ahead with the entire process without even bringing it to the notice of the cabinet.
“Soon after Mr. Shettar released a set of documents on awarding the tender to Prasad Raipati, I called for the documents and went through them. I noticed violation of tender rules. With regard to awarding the tender for installation of 46 laboratories, the Chief Engineer is yet sign the file. So, I have ordered for cancellation of the tender. With regard to awarding tender for 20 laboratories to Prasad Raipati, I found some discrepancies. Officials had committed errors, so I directed the officials to look into each case and take necessary action. Regarding allotment of tender to install 80 laboratories, I have ordered for detailed enquiry and asked to look into procedural lapses”, Mr. Patil added.
Though he admitted to involvement of officers in the scam, he chose not to order for their suspension from service. Officials of Karnataka Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Board (KRWSSB) floated tenders under Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act 1999 and awarded tenders to M/s Prasad Raipati Environ to set up 146 laboratories.
Interestingly, officials had approved works to same person to install 66 units, without inviting any bids. “I noticed there is blatant violation of rules before awarding tender to install water testing laboratories.
Even department officials have not sent files to the cabinet before inviting the tenders. The government will not spare any officials involved in this scam, and officers of CID will probe into procedural lapses,” he added.
He, however, denied allegations of favouritism as alleged by Mr Jagadish Shettar, nor owned moral responsibility but assured that the government would initiate tough action against those involved in the scam.
On the allegation of Mr Shettar about the firm producing fake bills without testing the water, Mr. Patil said he would direct officials concerned to initiate criminal proceedings against the company if the allegation was proved true. On setting up purified drinking water units, Mr. Patil said in June he would make public a report on the issue
