ED notice to BBMP staff in Rs 969 cr irregularities in setting up RO plants

BENGALURU: The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is probing the alleged financial irregularities in the borewells and RO plants installation project in Bengaluru from 2016 to 2019 over the last 20 days, has found the involvement of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials in the scam.

A notice has been issued to the BBMP finance department of BBMP seeking the details about the irregularities to the tune of Rs 969 crore in sinking borewells and establishing RO plants. The BBMP officials have also been asked to record their statements ED office on February 7.

According to the sources the ED had posed several questions to the BBMP including how much money has been released for sinking of borewells and setting up RO plant from 2016 to 2019, to whom the money was to released, the criteria followed while paying bills, proof of transaction between BBMP and the contractors among others.

The ED officials have inspected the installations along with BBMP officials and found huge difference in the documents and the statements of officials. Hence, the agency has issued notices to some of the employees.

BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath said the BBMP CEO will provide required documents to the ED.

Reacting to the ED notice, BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath said, “The ED sought information about the funds released, dates, and several questions on engineering matters such as GPS location and so on. The CEO will provide all the required information to the ED at the earliest”.