BBMP changes bill payment system for the second time in one year
The Hindu
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) introducing a change in the payment system — delegating payment powers to zonal Chief Engineers (CE) — has raised several questions. The fresh system has also not gone down well with the contractors whose payments are pending.
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) introducing a change in the payment system — delegating payment powers to zonal Chief Engineers (CE) — has raised several questions. The fresh system has also not gone down well with the contractors whose payments are pending.
The BBMP has now commenced payments of works completed under BBMP grants and released ₹411 crore. The amount pertains to bills generated between April 2021 and September 2021. However, the payment power has been now delegated to CEs from Zonal Commissioners. This is the second time the BBMP has introduced a change in the system, first being in October 2022.
In October 2022, BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath issued an order transferring payment power from the accounts department to zonal commissioners. The contractors then objected to the new system saying this would further complicate the payment process as they have to knock on the doors of commissioners at the zonal level for every bill. This system continued until payments were frozen.
Now, another change in the system has irked the contractors.
K.T. Manjunath, BBMP Contractors’ Association President, said this will add to the already existing tables for movement of files, delaying the payment process. He said there was no rationale behind this system and Mr. Giri Nath has to come clear as to why there was a change. He urged Mr. Giri Nath to reintroduce the old system and alleged that the new system may lead to corruption.
The BBMP has already released money to accounts of chief engineers, who will clear payments after inspection. According to sources, payment has started and several contractors have received the money.
Mr. Giri Nath told The Hindu that the new system was put in place in the interest of contractors and to ensure transparency.
“We are judges and therefore, cannot act like Mughals of a bygone era ... the writ courts in the guise of doing justice cannot transcend the barriers of law,” the High Court of Karnataka observed while setting aside an order of a single judge, who in 2016 had extended the lease of a public premises allotted to a physically challenged person to 20 years contrary to 12-year period stipulated in the law.
The High Court of Karnataka on Monday declined to interfere, at present, in the investigation against a Bharatiya Janata Party worker, who is among the accused persons facing charges of circulating obscene clips, related to “morphed” images and videos clips related to Prajwal Revanna, former Hassan MP, in public domain through pen drives and other modes.
The 16th edition of Bhoomi Habba was held on June 8, at the Visthar campus. The festival drew a vibrant crowd who came together to celebrate eco-consciousness through a variety of engaging activities, creative workshops, panel discussions, interactive exhibits and performances, all centered around this year’s theme: “Save Water, Save Lives.”