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Exchequer lost Rs 5 cr to misuse of KTPP exemption

DHNS
June 23, 2018

Bengaluru, Jun 23: The Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Ltd (Keonics) caused losses to the state exchequer by misusing the exemption it enjoys under the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act.

The office of the Accountant General’s recent inspection report exposes discrepancies and additional expenditure caused in the procurement of various materials by Keonics for government and recognised private Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) under the Directorate of Employment and Training (DET).

The discrepancies were found in the purchase of solar lights and other equipment. The inspection report stated that the DET failed to evaluate the price quoted by Keonics with the prevailing market rate. An additional expenditure of Rs 4.47 crore was found in the procurement of solar study lanterns in 2015 because they were purchased at a higher cost than the market price.

Similarly, Keonics came up with a proposal in 2014 to supply solar LED lighting system by taking exemption under the KTPP Act. The supply of 381 solar streetlights to 77 government ITIs in backward areas was assigned to Keonics. Again, the DET agreed to the price quoted by Keonics without verifying the market price. The DET could have saved at least Rs 38.63 lakh had there been a verification of the market price, the report stated.

Explaining the reasons for the loss, the report pointed out that in the said case, the report stated that the exemption under 4 (g) of the KTPP Act lacked justification. It also said DET representatives were not part of the price finalising committee before fixing the price. “The rates charged by Keonics had been far higher than the market rates,” it stated.

Keonics is one of the agencies that got exemption under Section 4 (g) of KTPP Act. The exemption empowers the agency to skip calling tenders. The agency invites quotations from private companies or individuals and chooses the lowest quotation.

In the past, discrepancies were found in the execution of works and procurement of material through agencies that get exemption under the KTPP Act. Several reports were filed from the Upalokayukta after discrepancies were found during enquires on works assigned to agencies like the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL), Nirmithi and Nemmadi Kendras.

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News Network
July 18,2020

Bengaluru, Jul 18: Karnataka minister R Ashoka on Friday said that the COVID-19 lockdown will not be extended further in Bengaluru.

While commenting on the COVID-19 lockdown extension R Ashoka said, "We have taken expert opinion, and the lockdown will not be extended. It will end on July 22."

Earlier today, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Mayor, M Goutham Kumar called for an extension of lockdown in the city for one more week due to rise in the COVID-19 cases. "It will be better if we get more time to tackle COVID-19 cases. We wish for the extension of lockdown for one more week. We have given the proposal to the government," said Kumar.

Lockdown had been imposed in the city for seven days with effect from 8 pm on July 14 till 5 am on July 22 to curb the further spread of COVID-19.

As many as 3,693 new COVID-19 positive cases and 115 deaths have been reported in Karnataka on Friday, the State Health Department said.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the state now stands at 55,115 including 33,205 active cases. While there are 20,757 recoveries, the death toll stands at 1,147.

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Media Release
June 14,2020

Mangaluru, June 14: The management of Barakah International School and College has announced to waive off 33% of tuition fee in order to lessen the burden on parents who are undergoing financial crisis due to covid lockdown. 

This decision was taken after a series of virtual meetings with the Managing Director, Academic Director, Principal, Manager and PRO.

“While the school needs to continue to meet all the commitments and responsibilities towards the staff salaries, software, networking, etc, we fully understand that in the prevailing circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, job loss, reduction in salaries, general hardships of the self-employed businesses and the slowdown in the economy,” sated a release issued by the school.

“We would support our parent fraternity pro-actively and at the same time continue to meet the high-quality standards of our teaching- learning process and infrastructure so it has been decided that 1/3 of the tuition fee to be waived off for 2020-21,” the release said.

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News Network
July 24,2020

Madikeri, Jul 24: Water from river Cauvery, which is deemed as holy, and mud from Kodagu, the birth district of river Cauvery was collected and will be sent to Ayodhya for use during groundbreaking (Bhoomi Pooja) ceremony for the construction of Ram Mandir on August 5.

Workers of Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishat and Hindu Jagarana Vedike collected the soil and water from River Cauvery at Talacauvery Kshetra, the birthplace of river Cauvery.

Special pooja was offered at Talacauvery, praying for the timely completion of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

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