Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/SP)
Udupi, Jun 28: Former MLA, K Raghupati Bhat, has called for a detailed investigation into the irregularities which he said have been committed by the city municipal council (CMC). 'The municipality got done several out of a total number of 157 works executed through it, in advance even before tendering process was put through. Apart from holding an in-depth inquiry into these irregularities, the municipality should henceforth execute every work through e-tendering process,' he demanded.
Addressing a press conference held in the district BJP office on Friday June 27, Bhat said that Udupi Citizens Committee had complained to the deputy commissioner of the district about the above phenomenon. He revealed that the municipal commissioner has confessed in his written statement made to the assistant commissioner of Kundapur subdivision, that works amounting to Rs 72.4 lac had indeed been got done without calling for tender.
He revealed that BJP too had complained to the deputy commissioner about these happenings. He stated that efforts are now being made to cover up these irregularities by utilizing the services of certain officials. He therefore asked the deputy commissioner to personally visit sites of work and get information thereof, instead of depending on the report being submitted by the municipal commissioner.
'MLA, Pramod Madhwaraj, claims that he works without getting any bribe. If his claim is true, how could he allow this to happen right under his nose? I learn that the MLA, when questioned by certain contractors about these irregularities, threatened them of ensuring that their bills towards execution of works at any of the taluks in the district are withheld from being passed for payment,' Raghupati Bhat alleged.
'We have formed a committee comprising some councillors and office bearers of the party. We will be holding a protest demonstration in front of the municipal office on Saturday June 28 against illegal execution of works without calling for tenders. At this venue, a video footage showing irregularities of the municipality will be exhibited,' he stated.
BJP leaders, Dr M R Pai, former municipal president, Dinakar Shetty Herga, Narasimha Nayak, and several other leaders were present at the press conference.