Councillors see foul play in BCC chief's transfer

Belagavi: The sudden transfer of Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) commissioner G Prabhu has triggered discontentment among councillors who suspect political influence behind the move.
Condemning the transfer, about 45 councillors will conduct a meeting to discuss the issue. They are also planning to write to chief minister Siddaramaiah.
Councillor Deepak Jamkhandi said that the transfer is a big setback to the Smart City project."The works under the 14th Finance Commission and Rs 100 crore special fund are to start in a few days and the Smart City project is also yet to begin. The transfer is shocking as Prabhu had worked for these works. It will again put a brake on all these works for at least six months," he said.
Mayor Sarita Patil said that Prabhu was attending to the grievances of councillors with special attention. He put special efforts for the smooth conduct of Ganesha festival. "If all councillors come together, we can pressurize to hold his transfer," she said.
It is also said that chief secretary and urban development department secretary are also unhappy with Prabhu's transfer as not even a single meeting of the special purpose vehicle for the Smart City project has been conducted yet. According to sources, the tender has been opened for the Smart City project.
Prabhu was appointed the BCC commissioner in September 2015 when Belagavi was selected for the Smart City project. He was fully involved in various aspects of the project like presentation of project to the central committee, attending meetings with top officials and establishing the special purpose vehicle. He was instrumental in collecting record revenue for the corporation and carried out demolition drive to make way for the city's master plan.
Prabhu was not available for comments.