Just 18 days into office, and Bengalur Mayor BN Manjunatha Reddy is already facing allegations of turning a blind eye to all rules when it comes to appointing supporting staff.
Despite rules stating that he must not appoint executive level rank officers as it would impact functioning of office, the mayor has created a record of having appointed the highest number support staff. A few people on whom charge-sheets were filed have also been appointed as personal secretaries, according to media reports.
According to the Bangalore Mirror report, twenty-four personnel are functioning in the mayor's office, against the sanctioned strength of 16.
The mayor agreed that he has taken more staff on his team. However, denied going overboard with appointments.
Speaking to the Bangalore Mirror, Reddy said, “I have not taken staff from each of the departments as the number will increase from the existing strength. But I have not appointed any executive rank officer or any senior level officer. However, I have told officials to come to my office whenever they are summoned.”
M Ramesh, who was named in a document forgery case, has become the personal assistant for appeal standing committee chairman, Anand Kumar S.
Officials told the Bangalore Mirror that Ramesh was named in a letterhead forgery case when he was working in the appeal committee chairman's office during TV Krishna's (former chairman) tenure and the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force had filed a charge-sheet against him.
The standing orders were issued during the administrative period of TM Vijay Bhaskar's not to appoint executive level officers as personal assistants to the elected body as it will disturb functioning of BBMP offices. Commissioner G Kumar Naik has overruled Bhaskar's decision which was taken on July 28.
Section 61 A (4) of the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act 1976 lays down the provisions of minimum staff for the mayor, deputy mayor, standing committees and other political leaders. According to it, an assistant revenue office or manager rank officer was entitled to become personal secretary of Mayor.
Technical staff may be appointed to the mayor's office if there is a need. Apart from this, two reporters shorthand experts, two first division assistants (to look after mayor's health relief fund), two second division assistants, one dafedar, four people belonging to group `D' and three drivers are entitled to work in the mayor's office.
However, around 24 staff members, a special officer with a rank of assistant revenue officer, four personal secretaries including an exec utive level official, Krishna Murthy, one reporter, three first division assistant, one stenographer and other staff member have been deputed.