Khammam: Khammam Municipal Corporation commissioner ordered two civic officials to pay diesel bills that were claimed illegally by them earlier. The issue was exposed when the commissioner looked at the diesel bills file and asked the concerned to produce the bills.
The total amount of the bills stands at Rs 12 lakh. According to sources, the bills were for diesel supposedly used by vehicles transporting garbage from various wards. The money was siphoned off with some officials producing bogus bills and drawing money from KMC exchequer. Following the commisioner’s orders, the two heads are trying to find scapegoats to pass on the blame. According to the sources, the quantity of diesel used shown in the bells was far too greater than what could have been consumed.
The role of former commissioner, deputy engineer and sanitary inspector was exposed in it. When the new commissioner explored the micro level, the illegal claim by the two officials was exposed. One claimed diesel worth Rs 8 lakh and the other Rs 4 lakh. Niether of them is eligible for it since the government sanctions a predetermined amount to them per month for plying. Efforts are being made to cover the issue by using their influence. The commissioner is serious about recovering the amount from the two heads.
Meanwhile, corporators who resorted to dubious ways earlier taking advantage of the previous commissioner’s regime are scared about their misdeeds being exposed. Many of them had been working as benami contractors and taking up jobs on nomination basis in their concerned wards. Around 50 per cent of them drew the bills without doing any works. Sources said a huge number of cases would come to light if the commissioner starts enquiring into these works. There are allegations that 15 corporators do not even allow the civic staff to start any work without their permission.
