BENGALURU: A scam in the distribution of three-wheelers to physically handicapped people has come to light in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), where officials have been accused of misusing funds meant for the welfare of the physically challenged people.
The state government is providing various facilities for the comprehensive development of the disabled or differently-abled. Three wheelers are being given to some beneficiaries, mainly for better mobility of the differently-abled.
Similarly, three wheelers are being distributed to the disabled in the BBMP area. A scam in misusing funds, has come to light regarding the distribution of three-wheelers to disabled people in Dasarahalli zone.
Social activist Amaresh said the scam was revealed in the annual audit report for the years 2021-22 released by the BBMP itself. Three-wheelers have been distributed twice to the selected disabled beneficiaries in the Assistant Revenue Officer’s section of Dasarahalli BBMP zone.
He also added that Rs 35,34,200 was paid by the BBMP to 41 selected beneficiaries in the year 2018–19, with each three-wheeler costing Rs 86,200. However, the same beneficiaries were given another tricycle each in 2019–20, with each tricycle costing Rs 99,950. As per the BBMP audit records, Rs 40,97,950 was paid towards the three-wheelers and Rs 40 lakh has been misappropriated, Amaresh pointed out.
This is not the first time that such a scandal has come to light in the Bengaluru civic body. There have been several instances of misuse of funds and corruption in the BBMp in the past. The civic agency has been accused of neglecting the welfare of the disabled and misusing funds meant for their benefit.
The BBMP has taken action against the officials responsible for the scam which has come as a shock to citizens, who have been demanding better governance and transparency. Dasarahalli BBMP officials have been instructed to recover Rs 40,97,950 from the officials concerned.