Contractor takes BBMP for a ride, fakes work done cert to win bid

The BBMP project of remodelling stormwater drains (SWDs) has become scam-ridden.

The BBMP approved a Rs 55-crore tender in Hebbal Valley (Package-2) for a contractor who had submitted fake work done and turnover certificates. After issuing the letter of intent, the BBMP has now withheld the work order. The civic body had invited tenders for remodelling a 192-km network of stormwater drains under the Nagarothana scheme with the state government contributing Rs 600 crore. For Hebbal Valley, Tam Tam Pedda Guruva Reddy’s bid was finalised as L-1, the lowest bidder. After negotiation, Rs 55 crore was fixed for the work and the letter of intent was issued in October 2016.

Meanwhile, former BJP corporator N R Ramesh filed a complaint with the Technical Vigilance Cell under Commissioner (TVCC) and the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF) against Reddy, accusing him of submitting fake experience and work done certificates. One of the conditions in the tender notification was that the bidder should have a turnover of more than Rs 30 crore. Reddy submitted the certificate, claiming to have conducted work at Field Irrigation Canal Division-7 at Bheemarayanagudi for the Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigama Ltd.

The TVCC then submitted a report stating that all the documents were verified and seemed genuine, an official said. On the other hand, the BMTF sent a fax to the chief engineer of the KBJNL, enquiring about the veracity of the certificate. Though there was no reply by fax, the BMTF received a letter from FIC Division-7. Subsequently, even the BMTF stopped the investigation based on the letter from FIC Division-7, concluding that Reddy indeed executed the said work.

Enquiries by DH show that FIC Division-7 was renamed FIC Division-4 and transferred to the KBJNL. It turns out that the reply received by the BMTF was not sent by the KBJNL. The KBJNL’s reply was: “When KBJNL Division Number 7 (at) Bheemarayanagudi was no more in existence with effect from August 1, 2000, any letter, work done certificate or confirmation letter issued subsequently in the nomenclature of that division will not naturally be authentic. Through an order in 2000, the engineering wing of CADA, including its establishment, was transferred to KBJNL.”

A senior BBMP official said a decision would be taken soon whether to invite fresh tenders or award the contract to the second lowest bidder.