Mathai's report on advt dept irks Palike staffers

The fifth report by the BBMP Assistant Commissioner (Advertisement), K Mathai, on the shortcomings in the advertisement department, wherein he pointed fingers at his subordinate, has stirred up a hornet's nest as it has enraged the BBMP Officers’ and Employees’ Union.

In his report, Mathai has accused caseworker Hemanth Kumar, a first division clerk, for not furnishing him the 31 files showing the recovery made from big defaulters. He recommended that Hemanth be removed from the advertisement section and posted to any other department except the BBMP. Mathai had also suggested a thorough probe into the financial mismanagement in the advertisement section by an independent and competent agency like the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF).

“Accusing a caseworker for the loss of crores of rupees to the Palike is farfetched. The officer does not require anybody’s permission to go through any file in his section,” a  press note issued by the union said.

The union has questioned the integrity of Mathai and asked him whether he is entitled to ‘release’ his reports to the media. It has also threatened to protest against Mathai in the coming days if action is not taken against the officer.

The controversy has shaken up the Palike administration, compelling the senior level officials to hold a series of meetings.