Mismatch in govt posts triggers probe into Rs 600cr graft in minority dept

Haveri: Karnataka govt has uncovered widespread irregularities and inflated costing in development projects worth nearly Rs 600 crore under the department of minority welfare, Haj, and Wakf, triggering an administrative shake-up over the alleged assignment of a key technical oversight role to an unqualified official.The discrepancies surfaced during the review of detailed project reports (DPRs) prepared for infrastructure development across minority-concentrated areas in the state. Senior officials said several project estimates quoted rates significantly higher than the official Public Works Department schedule of rates, the govt-mandated benchmark for construction costs.Syeda Tasmiya Tarannum, assistant executive engineer, was declared ineligible for her post by Shamla Iqbal, secretary of the department of minority welfare, Haj, and Wakf, after a formal notice flagged a mismatch in administrative delegation. Sayeda was relieved from the post, after a notice served.Tarannum, originally appointed as an electrical engineer with the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL), was brought into the directorate of minorities on deputation in Dec 2021. Despite her electrical qualifications, she was given sole responsibility for supervision, inspection and final certification of civil construction projects, including govt student hostels.“How an engineer with electrical qualifications was entrusted with technical inspection and certification of civil engineering works, is a matter of grave concern,” the department noted in its official communication.Officials said the lack of civil engineers compromised the quality of technical audits and allowed inflated project estimates, risking major losses to the state exchequer. The alleged irregularities were recorded during a specialised consultative committee meeting, with subject experts, on April 15.While reviewing active construction estimates, the panel identified widespread discrepancies and inflated costs in multiple DPRs previously approved and certified by Tarannum. Calling the lapse a 'serious institutional failure,' department issued a seven-day ultimatum to Tarannum to submit a formal explanation, failing which would lead to disciplinary action under applicable govt service rules.The investigation was expected to widen as investigators examined how the qualification mismatch went unnoticed for over four years and whether high-ranking officials bypassed protocol to assign her to the civil engineering portfolio.TOI made efforts to attempt contact with Shamla Iqbal, the secretary of department of minority welfare, Haj, and Wakf, but she was not available to comment on it.Quote---The Congress govt used unfit officers to make money in the name of development. Congress is not thinking of the welfare of minorities, the party is using the community only as a vote bank. They misused the grants that were reserved for the minority community.-Anagawadi Nabi Nadaf, Secretary, BJP state minority wing