BANGALORE: Citing financial problems, Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) Commissioner K. Jairaj on Tuesday announced a cut in annual ward grants for development works from Rs 1.5 crore to Rs. 1 crore.

Replying to members at the BMP Council meeting here, Mr. Jairaj urged the corporators to restrict the cost of works to Rs. 1 crore. "The State Government is likely to approve the BMP budget for 2006-2007 within a day or two. Though an allocation of Rs. 1.5 crore is made in the budget for ward works, we need at least Rs. 100 crores more to complete all spillover works and clear pending bills," Mr. Jairaj said. The issue, which had created differences among the corporators and the Commissioner, was discussed in detail.

Members from all parties, who alleged that hundreds of files pertaining to ward works had been held up at the Commissioner's office, pointed out that works had to be expedited, as the Council's term would end in November.

"All files that have been cleared by the Standing Committees have been held up in your chamber. This happens to be an election year and we are answerable to people," Mavalli corporator M. Udayshankar said.

Admitting that the files were being studied, Mr. Jairaj said he was compelled to do so because the State Government had directed the BMP not to allow "piece-meal" works for projects that cost more than Rs. 2 lakh. "We have also been directed not to split works costing over Rs. 5 lakh and allot them in `piece-meal' contracts. All works costing above Rs. 2 lakh have to be tendered and we have to follow this direction," he said.

Additional grants

Mr. Jairaj assured the corporators that he would lead a delegation to the State Government to seek additional grants of Rs. 100 crore to bridge the gap between the demand and availability of funds.

Short-term contracts

"We can also request the Government to give us concession to allot 30 per cent of ward works as `piece-meal' contracts. We can invite short-term tenders for the remaining works and complete the tender process within 40 days. This way we can ensure that works are not affected and delayed," he said.

Quality check

When members pointed out that several works had already been completed in most of the wards, Mr. Jairaj said: "We can make payments for such works only after a quality check. But payments will be held up if quality work has not been executed."

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