CID to probe irregularities in purchase of Marco Polo buses

The state government has ordered a CID probe into the purported irregularities in acquiring Marco Polo buses during the previous BJP regime in the state, Transport Minister H M Revanna said on Monday.

Revanna told reporters here that there were several irregularities in the purchase of 94 Marco Polo buses by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) during the previous BJP regime. BJP leader R Ashoka was the transport minister when the irregularities took place, he added.

The irregularities were earlier probed by IAS officer S R Umashankar.  

After coming to power, the Congress government had decided to scrap the buses citing losses of several crores of rupees. It had even sought the Tata Motors and Marco Polo to refund the money to Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and the KSRTC, he added.  

Women's Day initiative

To mark Women's Day, the BMTC would ensure last mile connectivity to women commuters from March 8 onwards, said the minister.

He also said that free buses to around 2.5 lakh construction labourers and passes at subsidised rates to around two lakh women garment factory workers would be distributed soon.