The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : MLCs seek House panel probe against official

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

MLCs seek House panel probe against official

Staff Reporter

Official accused of exceeding her powers

BANGALORE: The Executive Director of Jungle Lodges and Resorts, run by the Government, had committed grave irregularities by sanctioning works at her discretion though she had no powers to do so, and a House Committee should inquire into the irregularities, Congress members Saleem Ahmed, Umashree and L. Hanumanthaiah demanded in the Legislative Council on Monday.

Raising the issue, Mr. Ahmed said the officer concerned, Madhu Sharma, should be immediately suspended.

The three members said the Minister seemed to be protecting the official, despite the details of several violations that came to light in the audit report. A few instances included the tender for the renovation of Hotel Metropole in Mysore, which was quoted at Rs. 98 lakh, but the sum granted to the private firm that did the job was Rs. 2.14 crore. Repairs at the Krishnaraja Sagar property had been tendered for Rs. 1.46 crore, while the sum released was Rs. 1.66 crore.

Mr. Hanumanthaiah said Ms. Sharma had used "discretionary powers" that she did not possess to waive payments by guests at various properties, all of which added up to Rs. 68 lakh.

When the member refused to accept Mr Sriramulu's reply, Leader of the House D.H. Shankaramurthy said "the Minister has assured the House that action will be taken against the officials after conducting an inquiry."

He said the report would be tabled in the House at the earliest.

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