Mahithi hakku adhyayana kendra seeks to appoint Chief Vigilance Officer to BMTF

He needs to liaise with ACB in the interest of Public

Bengaluru, July 3: Mahithi hakku adhyayana kendra has sought the state government to review the functioning of Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF) and to appoint Chief Vigilance Officer to look into the complaints of corruption and to liaise with the Anti Corruption Bureau.

Trustee of Mahithi hakku adhyayana kendra BH Veeresh has sought the attention of Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai for feasibility of appointing the Additional Director General of Police, BMTF as Chief Vigilance Officer of BBMP in the public interest.

Further, seeking the attention of Vanditha Sharma, Chief Secrertary, Rakesh Singh,
Additional Chief Secretary and Tushar Giri Nath, BBMP Chief Commissioner
into the letter wherein the Additional Director General of Police, BMTF has sought additional powers which includes action against illegal buildings constructed in violation of Sanction Plan and Building Bye Laws he clarified that the BMTF has been constituted with an objective of protection of government, BBMP, BDA and BWSSB properties.

They were also given powers to register cases relating to Loss of Revenue and Leakage of Revenue. However it is now observed that majority of cases registered relates to illegal water connection and non payment of prorata charges for securing water and sewerage connection.

Unfortunately, complaints filed by Gazetted Officers are alone being registered in the Police Station of BMTF and whereas complaints received from general public are not being properly investigated by them. It is informed that they had no suo moto power to register cases of encroachment of Government Lands including Lakes and Storm Water Drains.

It is also observed that some lower level police officers are visiting the offices of the builders and collecting records from them for initiating action against building bye law with an ulterior motive of harassing them.

Initiating action against building bye law violations is the responsibility of the Assistant Engineers and Assistant Executive Engineers of the Sub Division. Any complaints relating to building bye law violations are to be enquired by the higher officers including the Joint Commissioners and Zonal Commissioners. However it is observed that the BBMP officials have completely failed in their responsibility in initiating action against building bye law violations. In the above context the BMTF had sought additional powers in this regard.

Since there is no transparency and accountability in the functioning of BMTF it is not advisable to restore the powers of initiating action against building bye law violations to them. Further technically they are not competent enough to conduct enquiries and intiate action. Building bye law violation is not a criminal offence punishable under Indian Penal Code. Hence the proposal of BMTF is not maintainable.

Further Duties and responsibility of BMTF is aimed at preventing encroachment of Government Land including Storm Water DRains, Foot Path, Roads. At present their responsibility is limited to transfer the complaints to the BBMP officials and laise with the Police Department in providing police protection during demolition.

In view of the above we request you to review the Objective, Duty and Responsibility of BMTF afresh and issue suitable guidelines which includes registration of complaints on suo moto basis as well as initiating action on complaints of encroachment received form the general public.

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