BELGAUM: In sharp contrast to the State Government's assurance to ensure transparency in the administration, particularly by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, the district administration has sought exemption for certain projects proposed to be taken up in the city as part of the Vishwa Kannada Sammelan.

As against the request for Rs.80 crore, the State Government has assured to provide Rs.30 crore towards city improvement projects, beautification and other arrangements. Just 21 days are left for the three-day World Kannada Meet to be held here from February 23 to 25.

Exigencies

Deputy Commissioner Shalini Rajneesh admitted that in view of certain exigencies under the circumstances she had requested the Government to exempt them from the Transparency Act at a press conference addressed in presence of Minister for Social Welfare Balachandar Jarkiholi.

Incidentally, the request seeking exemption of certain major projects from the Transparency Act has raised several eyebrows here. This is in view of the reported allegations of large-scale financial irregularities in flood relief projects during 2005-06 and during the special legislature session held in the city during September last.

Though the Government had ordered an inquiry into the financial irregularities in flood relief projects, the report was yet to be made public.

Financial irregularities

The Deputy Commissioner has denied financial irregularities into the funds provided to organise legislative session following the allegations of Bhimappa Gundappa Gadad of Gokak, former Personal Assistant of former Minister and former Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president V.S. Koujalgi recently.

Sub-standard projects

Even elected representatives have alleged that sub-standard projects were done in the recent past, especially the road repair projects.

The State Government then headed by S.M. Krishna had made the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act, 1999 effective from October 4, 2000.

The Act was intended to streamline procedures in public procurement and ensure accountability in public procurement.

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