Diesel scam in GHMC transport department

Hyderabad: A diesel scam worth lakhs has been unearthed in the GHMC city transport wing. An RTI reply revealed that from December 2014 to December 2015, diesel used for 60 Boleros, 20 Scorpios and 10 jeeps and other light vehicles was 35,000 litre. However, the actual consumption of these vehicles should be only about 22,000 litres. The vehicles used by GHMC’s additional and zonal commissioners, and section officers use the maximum fuel per day, but these officials are on desk jobs.

Every month the GHMC spends Rs 22 to Rs 25 lakh on diesel. However, apart from officers from the Town Planning and Engineering department, who have inspection duties, the remaining have desk jobs. Also, vehicles are not allowed for all section officers. The complaint filed to the TS principal secretary on the diesel scam stated: “At one of the GHMC parking yards (Kavadiguda) the misuse of diesel coupons has been detected. As per records, the consumption of diesel for light motor vehicles per month is 35,000-40,000 liters, but the actual consumption for 60 Boleros, 20 Scorpios and 10 jeeps is 20,000–22,000 liters per month. The caretakers issued diesel coupons for vehicles that are at workshops for the last one-two years. They issued coupons for scrapped vehicles as well.”

Mr U. Gopal , who filed the RTI query, said, “The Telangana State Civil Supplies report revealed that vehicles AP 11 AB 1735, AP 11 AA 66 30 and AP 11 AB  0397 were under repair, but still diesel coupons were issued in December 2015 and January to June 2016. A total of 710 litres of diesel was used for these vehicles in the six months. There is no check by the GHMC chief transport officer. On March 15, the total diesel bill paid by GHMC was Rs 22.94 lakh, which was the highest in the year. Earlier, Sri Ramulu (DE, GHMC) was involved in a case of Rs 9 crore which is still pending with  Lokayu-kta.” In 2015, GHMC hired 319 new vehicles for administrative staff. That cost it Rs 80 lakh per month towards maintenance. As per rules, government vehicles are provided to officials on the field, and not to officers on desk jobs with fixed timings.

According to records, about 101 government vehicles are to be allotted in GHMC for field officers. But as per information furnished by the executive engineer (Transport wing), at present, the corporation has hired an additional 319 vehicles for non-field staff.