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LoP seeks Lokayukta probe into alleged Rs 133-cr waste tender irregularities
In Short
In a letter to the Chief Minister, Ashoka alleged that the tender process had been carried forward despite objections and instructions from the Finance Department
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: Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R. Ashoka
Bengaluru: Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R. Ashoka has urged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to order a Lokayukta investigation into alleged irregularities in tenders worth Rs 133 crore for garbage and waste transfer centres under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).
In a letter to the Chief Minister, Ashoka alleged that the tender process had been carried forward despite objections and instructions from the Finance Department. He demanded a comprehensive examination of all related documents and strict legal action against officials and others found responsible.
Ashoka said the project, intended to improve Bengaluru’s waste management system, had come under a cloud following allegations of violations of eligibility criteria, failure to collect additional security deposits and disregard for financial safeguards. He said he had already released documents at a press conference to highlight the alleged lapses.
One of the major concerns raised by Ashoka relates to additional security deposits that were allegedly not collected. According to him, Package 2, estimated at Rs 55.04 crore, required an additional security deposit of around Rs 76.79 crore, while Package 5 required approximately Rs 15.99 crore. He claimed that the total additional security deposit involved was around Rs 112.99 crore and questioned the basis on which work orders were issued without securing the amounts. He demanded that the government identify those responsible for decisions that allegedly exposed public finances to risk.
Ashoka also called for scrutiny of the qualifications, quoted rates and technical capabilities of all participating firms to determine whether any company had received undue advantage. He further questioned whether suitable locations for waste transfer centres had been identified and the necessary permissions obtained before tenders covering 21 packages were initiated.
