BBMP gets stern with erring babus

Municipal body finds out that officers on deputation fail to hand over mobiles, SIM cards and incur huge bill amounts on the exchequer

Municipal body finds out that officers on deputation fail to hand over mobiles, SIM cards and incur huge bill amounts on the exchequer

A few officials, on deputation to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) from various departments have become heavy on the purse of the municipal body.

These officers not only forget to handover plush mobile phones and SIM cards after being relieved from duties,
but also continue to use them thus proving costly on the exchequer.

As a result, senior officials have brought such staff under scanner and have imposed stringent rules to put an end to this practice.

Not only do some of the BBMP officials continue to use mobile phones, but they also incur huge amounts as bills.

Messy officials

The mobile mess up is the latest addition to officials' woes, who have instituted enquiry into the matter.
Not only do they continue to use these mobiles but also incur huge amounts as bills.

"We have also found that most of these officers are from the PWD and state accounts department," said Govindaiah, executive engineer, electrical (east), who prepared the report.

"Though the exact number of such officers are not known, necessary steps are being taken to ensure this won't be repeated," he added.

The BBMP top brass has issued a circular in this regard and made it clear that no officials on deputation, henceforth, would be relieved unless they handed over the mobiles and SIM cards issued by the BBMP.

The circular further states that staff members, who relieve such officials, will be dealt with disciplinary action for the fault of the latter.

No costly mobiles

Besides this, BBMP has also decided to put a stop on purchase of expensive mobiles that officials reportedly used to buy out of public money.

The maximum amount that can be used to purchase a mobile is Rs 10,000.

"We found out during our enquiry that some officials have bought mobiles worth Rs 20,000 to Rs 30 000, which is not permissible. Hence, it has been brought down to Rs 10,000," said Govindaiah.

When contacted a few officials, who were on deputation preferred not to comment.