BANGALORE: After H Siddaiah was shunted out from the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for handing over the multi-crore scam probe to Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF), councillors have now targeted the Technical Vigilance Cell under the Commissioner (TVCC) chief engineer N Devaraj, who was instrumental in unearthing the Rs1,539-crore scam.Ironically, Devaraj, who was appreciated for unearthing the scam in Rajarajeshwarinagar, Malleswaram and Gandhinagar constituencies, has been under the radar of MLAs and councillors from both BJP and Congress. Also, Congress and BJP councillors who had demanded a CBI probe, differed in their stand and questioned the authenticity of the report. It can be recalled that based on the TVCC report, former commissioner Siddaiah had handed over the probe to BMTF and to Corps of Detectives (CoD). Based on this, BJP MLA Ashwathnarayan Gowda questioned the authenticity of the report. He alleged that Devaraj had not done field investigation before preparing the document. In a reply, Devaraj said that former commissioner Siddaiah had directed him on October 12, to probe into the scam. Accordingly, he scrutinised nearly 152 and found some work were executed only on paper and in some, false bills were claimed for undone work. As per directions from additional chief secretary J Jairaj, spot inspections were held on November 15 and 16.Gandhinagar MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao said TVCC report was confusing. He alleged, the report says funds was released for the work with fake code. Works worth for about `16 crore was executed but does not mention how many. Based on the same report, BMTF arrested Gandhinagar executive engineer Vendon.In the FIR, poor quality of work was stated as the reason. “When funds were released for fake code, why did they not question the chief accounts officer. I do not trust BMTF,” he said, adding that he will defend Vendon. Commissioner’s replyCommissioner M K Shankaralinge Gowda said that they are preparing a software which will have details of funds allotted to each constituency. Replying to the demand of investigating other assembly constituencies, Gowda suggested BBMP to form an expert committee comprising retired engineers. The findings will be submitted to the BBMP council and they can take a call on the fate of the report. Since the state government has ordered for CoD probe, the expert committee can carry out the probe simultaneously, Further he said he will not disband TVCC and would take its support when needed.
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