Startup founder says BBMP sought bribe for water connection, gave official & unofficial options
The city of Bengaluru, known for its thriving startup ecosystem, has once again been marred by allegations of corruption and bribery. A Bengaluru-based startup founder, Ravichandra Reddy, has come forward with a shocking revelation that officials from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) demanded bribes for granting permission for road-cutting work related to obtaining a water connection for his startup. The incident has sparked outrage and raised questions about the prevalence of corruption in the city’s civic administration.
According to Reddy, the road-cutting work was necessary as the water pipeline was located on the opposite side of the road, and the connection could only be established by cutting through the road. However, when he approached the BBMP officials to obtain the necessary permission, he was met with demands for bribes. The officials allegedly asked Reddy to pay ₹80,000 as the official payment, along with an additional ₹20,000 as a bribe. Alternatively, they offered an “unofficial” option, where Reddy could pay ₹40,000, but would have to restore the road himself after the work was completed.
Reddy’s allegations highlight the entrenched corruption in the BBMP’s system, where officials seem to be more interested in lining their pockets than in providing efficient services to citizens. The fact that the officials provided Reddy with both “official” and “unofficial” options for payment is a clear indication of the brazen nature of corruption in the civic administration. It is appalling that citizens are being forced to pay bribes to access basic services like water connections, which are essential for the functioning of any business or household.
The incident also raises questions about the accountability of BBMP officials and the lack of transparency in their dealings. If officials are openly demanding bribes and providing “unofficial” options for payment, it suggests a complete breakdown of the system. The fact that Reddy was asked to pay a significant amount of money to obtain a water connection, which is a fundamental right, is a clear violation of his rights as a citizen.
Furthermore, the demand for bribes by BBMP officials can have far-reaching consequences for startups and small businesses in the city. Many of these businesses are already struggling to survive in a competitive market, and the added burden of paying bribes can be crippling. It can also create an uneven playing field, where only those who are willing to pay bribes are able to access essential services, while others are left behind.
The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many calling for action against the corrupt officials. The BBMP has a responsibility to ensure that its officials are held accountable for their actions, and that citizens are able to access basic services without having to pay bribes. The civic administration must take immediate action to investigate Reddy’s allegations and take disciplinary action against the officials involved.
In addition, the BBMP must also take steps to increase transparency and accountability in its dealings. This can be achieved by implementing online systems for payment and application tracking, as well as setting up a grievance redressal mechanism for citizens to report corruption and other issues. The civic administration must also ensure that its officials are trained to provide efficient and courteous services to citizens, without demanding bribes or other forms of payment.
In conclusion, the allegations made by Ravichandra Reddy against BBMP officials are a stark reminder of the corruption and bribery that pervades the civic administration in Bengaluru. The incident highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the system, as well as the need for action against corrupt officials. The BBMP must take immediate action to investigate Reddy’s allegations and take disciplinary action against the officials involved. Only then can citizens have faith in the system and access basic services without having to pay bribes.
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