Startup founder says BBMP sought bribe for water connection, gave official & unofficial options
In a shocking revelation, a Bengaluru-based startup founder has alleged that officials from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) demanded bribes for road-cutting work related to getting a water connection. Ravichandra Reddy, the founder, claimed that the officials presented him with two options: an “official” payment with a bribe, or an “unofficial” payment with the added responsibility of restoring the road himself.
According to Reddy, the road cutting was necessary as the water pipeline was located on the opposite side of the road, making it essential to dig up the road to lay the connection. However, when he approached the BBMP officials to obtain the necessary permission, he was met with demands for bribes. The officials allegedly asked for ₹80,000 as the official payment, which included a ₹20,000 bribe. Alternatively, they offered an “unofficial” option, where Reddy could pay ₹40,000, but would have to take on the responsibility of restoring the road himself.
This incident highlights the persistent problem of corruption in India’s civic bodies, where officials often exploit their positions to extract bribes from citizens and businesses. The fact that the BBMP officials presented Reddy with two options, both of which involved paying a bribe, suggests a deeply entrenched culture of corruption within the organization.
Reddy’s experience is not an isolated incident. Many citizens and businesses in Bengaluru have reported similar experiences with the BBMP, where officials demand bribes for even the most basic services. This not only adds to the financial burden of starting and running a business but also undermines trust in the government and its institutions.
The BBMP’s role in providing civic services, including water connections, is crucial for the city’s development and growth. However, the organization’s reputation has been marred by allegations of corruption and inefficiency. The fact that officials are willing to demand bribes for something as essential as a water connection raises questions about the organization’s commitment to serving the public interest.
The “unofficial” option presented to Reddy, where he would have to restore the road himself, is particularly alarming. This approach not only shifts the responsibility of maintaining public infrastructure onto private citizens but also creates a situation where the quality of the work may be compromised. It is the BBMP’s responsibility to ensure that public infrastructure is maintained and restored, not that of private citizens.
The incident also highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability within the BBMP. If officials are able to demand bribes with impunity, it suggests a lack of effective oversight and monitoring mechanisms. The organization needs to implement robust systems to track and monitor the provision of services, including water connections, to prevent such incidents of corruption.
Furthermore, the BBMP needs to take concrete steps to address the issue of corruption within its ranks. This includes providing training to officials on ethics and anti-corruption, as well as implementing measures to prevent and detect corruption. The organization should also establish a clear and transparent complaint mechanism, where citizens and businesses can report incidents of corruption and seek redress.
In conclusion, the allegations made by Ravichandra Reddy against BBMP officials are a disturbing reminder of the pervasive corruption in India’s civic bodies. The fact that officials are willing to demand bribes for essential services like water connections undermines trust in the government and its institutions. The BBMP needs to take immediate action to address this issue, including implementing measures to prevent corruption, providing transparency and accountability, and ensuring that officials are held accountable for their actions.
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