The officials have been getting double pay for two years; now questions arise as to why the civic commissioner has revoked transfer orders even though their stint is over
The officials have been getting double pay for two years; now questions arise as to why the civic commissioner has revoked transfer orders even though their stint is over
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With the BBMP already neck deep in loses, it appears that the designated commissioner is not helping to alleviate the civic body's suffering of an additional Rs 3.6 crore expense incurred over the past two years.
BBMP Commissioner H Siddhaiah has revoked the transfer orders of 68 officials, who had been deputed on BBMP duty from various departments. The officials have been receiving double salaries through their two-year stint, and though their tenure has ended, they have not been reinstated in their parent departments.
Buckling? Siddhaiah is alleged to have revoked the transfer orders
under pressure from political bosses. File pic
Siddhaiah is alleged to have revoked the transfer orders under pressure from 'political bosses' and this has drawn flak from the opposition. Also, the move has fueled rumours of a possible nexus between the BBMP and some ministers.
Getting a part?
"The designation of an engineer is supposed to be really plum within the BBMP. Engineers from various government bodies approach their local leaders, who in turn pressurise the BBMP. Hence the commissioner has revoked the transfer orders and is sure to get a share of the spoils as well," said an unnamed source within the BBMP.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Uday Shankar has dubbed this as a lobby being backed by a few elected leaders. "A KPTCL official, who gets paid Rs 33,000 from his department, would end up drawing about Rs 60,000 by being deputed on corporation duty," he said.
"These officials have completed two years of duty, and as a rule, they should return to their respective departments. Why has the commissioner revoked their transfer now? There is something fishy going on," Shankar added. The opposition further alleged that the standing committee is well aware of the situation and had even recommended that the officiald be sent back to their parent departments.
"On June 13, the committee chairman had sent a letter to the commissioner to relive these officials off their duties. The commissioner had then signed the same on June 26. However, within a week the transfer orders had been revoked and we suspect that there is a lobby to retain these officials," Shankaru00a0 alleged.
Clueless
When questioned about the same, standing Committee Chairman H R Krishnappa appeared to go into damage control mode. "We have retained all these officials now because of the rainy season. Once the rains end, the officials will be sent back to their respective departments," he said.
The commissioner also echoed the same sentiment saying, "These officials have been paid on par with the BBMP officials. We will try to prevent such situations from being repeated in future. Now, we will send a circular to the government and based on their recommendations, the vacancy will be filled. These 68 engineers will however have to stick on to their present deputations for another five months," said Siddhaiah.
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