The Urban Development Department (UDD) has directed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to investigate into the alleged misappropriation of money collected from sales at Indira Canteens in Bengaluru. The direction came after a complaint was filed with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The canteens which supply food at subsidised prices were started in 2017 and it was pro-poor project of Mr. Siddaramaiah during his first term as Chief Minister. At present, of the 175 canteens, 163 are operational. Now, to spruce up canteens and provide variety, the BBMP has finalised a ₹150 crore tender for which the Cabinet nod is awaited.
According to a document dated January 25 accessed by The Hindu, the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), UDD, has written to the BBMP Chief Commissioner directing him to conduct a probe into what happened to the money collected for the Indira Canteens.
The direction was issued based on a complaint filed by RTI activist Amaresh S. Mr. Amaresh alleged that ever since the the canteens became operational in Bengaluru, the BBMP has not maintained proper account of the money earned on a daily basis.
“Usually, the BBMP should have an account to which money should be credited. This has not happened properly resulting in massive leakage of cash. The State government has also provided funds to the project to provide food for the poor at subsidised rates. Despite almost a month into the direction to conduct the probe, nothing has happened,” he said.
BBMP Special Commissioner (Health) Suralkar Vikas Kishor said he had not received any direction formally from the higher ups, but added that he will verify the same. “I am yet to receive the details of the complaint. It will be verified,” he said.
