Sanitary inspectors put GHMC to shame

Hyderabad: Following an order by the ministry of municipal administration and urban development to probe corruption in the sanitary department of the GHMC, the Anti Corruption Bureau has confirmed receiving several complaints against GHMC sanitary inspectors and supervisors.

Recently the GHMC introduced an online system for recording attendance and payment of salary to workers. There were complaints before the system was introduced — of inspectors making money on this front. They recorded more number of workers in a particular ward than were on the ground. The salary of the ‘ghost workers’ went into the pockets of these sanitary inspectors.

A source from the department said, “In 24 wards of the GHMC, there are 50 sanitary supervisors. About 2,000 permanent staff and 16,000 contract sanitary workers report to supervisors. Before the introduction of online system, workers used to receive their salary in cash. The salary which was earlier Rs 6,500 has been raised to Rs 12,500. The supervisors also earn money from approving trade licence and bulk garbage collection fee. A sanitary inspector plays a major role in appointing sweepers on contract. A percentage of the sweepers’ salary goes to the inspector. Their illegal earnings need to be probed.”

Mr V. Ravi Kumar, ACB deputy superintendent of police, said that last year, based on a complaint, an ACB team raided sanitary inspector V. Krupa-danam’s house and unearthed Rs 3 crores of assets. The inspectors earn out of contracts as they are responsible for sanitary equipment like dustbins.