BJP smells scam in meters purchase by energy department in Karnataka

BENGALURU: The legislative council witnessed nosisy scenes on Tuesday with BJP resorting to dharna over alleged scam in procuring electro mechanical meters by Bescom.
Demanding a probe by Lokayukta or House panel, opposition leader KS Eshwarappa alleged that about 20 lakh meters were replaced at a cost of Rs 180 crore. “These meters were procured in 2014 without going through tender process and two companies had bagged the contract.The contracts were given in violation of section 23 of the Karnataka Transparency Act,” he said.
Energy minister DK Shivakumar announced a probe by an additional chief secretary level officer. Not satisfied with the reply, Eshwarappa accused Shivakumar of getting kickback from the transaction.
This resulted in a war of words between the opposition and ruling party members.. “If the minister is not involved in the scam, why is he fearing to hand over the matter to the Lokayukta,” Eshwarappa sought know.
Shivakumar maintained that it was only a technical issue on tenders and no irregularities had taken place in meters purchasing.The BJP members trooped into well of the House demanding a fair probe even as the House was adjourned for Wednesday.