Bangalore spent Rs 2 lakh to catch 20 rats in 2 yrs

Councillors get ratty after RTI request reveals the truth

Rats can chew up almost everything, even money. Greater Bangalore City Corporation has spent Rs 2 lakh to capture just 20 rats in the last two years.

The scandal adds to the Corporation's reputation as corruption-ridden; a body known internationally for its inept handling of civic issues like garbage disposal.

GBCC's latest controversy came to light following an RTI application by Bharatiya Janata Party councillor N.R. Ramesh regarding the expenditure incurred on pest control in the Corporation's offices.

It was revealed that the BJP-ruled civic body doled out the money to three pest control agencies tasked with tackling the rat menace at the Corporation's offices in Bangalore.

But, in the last two years, all that the pest control agencies could do was to get hold of 20 rats.

It translates into Rs 10,000 for each rat captured.

"Rat poison does not cost more than Rs 20. What is GBCC's logic behind engaging the services of three pest control agencies, just to capture 20 rats?" Ramesh asked.

"This is unbelievable. Unfortunately, the officials have not given a convincing answer."

The Corporation had invited proposals from pest control agencies to deal with the rodents that had destroyed files at GBCC head office here and another building nearby.

Though the payments were promptly made to the agencies, their performance was poor.

"Spending Rs 2 lakh to catch 20 rats is ridiculous. GBCC is making a mockery of itself. It manages the civic affairs of an internationally- renowned city, but look at the people who are at the helm of affairs," said former councillor M. Narayana.

"This could be just a tip of the iceberg. Several such scams have become routine in the GBCC," he added. As one of the most corruption-ridden civic agencies, the GBCC is in the red with debts of over Rs 3,500 crore.