Congress seeks answers from Mysuru MP Pratap Simha after NGO bags project

MYSURU: Congress spokesperson M Lakshman on Monday sought to know from Mysuru MP Pratap Simha if all the procedures had been followed prior to handing over the construction and demolition waste recycling plant to an NGO. “The MP’s vocal support for the NGO to be given the project has raised eyebrows and these doubts need to be put to rest,” Lakshman said.
Pointing out that the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) had invited bids for the project, and four organisations had submitted applications, Lakshman said, “But the MCC authorities rejected all the four applications citing various reasons.The NGO that was handed the contract finally submitted the application and an agreement signed providing 10 acres for the plant, in addition to free electricity and money for the collection of the debris.”
Demanding Simha to clarify if the procedures were followed in the NGO being given the project, Lakshman added, “If he cannot do so, we will have to approach the court and ascertain the truth behind the agreement signed between the MCC and the NGO. The MCC commissioner must verify the credentials of the NGO before entrusting a project.”
Lakshman reminded the MCC of the loss of Rs 164 crore that the agency had incurred after a drinking water distribution project was handed over to a private organisation owing to pressure brought to bear from elected representatives.
Simha said that the project had been handed over to the NGO only after the MCC Council approved it.
Mysuru mayor Tasneem told TOI that the MCC Council had been deliberating on the construction and demolition waste recycling plant for the past two months. “We had called tenders and two organisations expressed interest. But competent authorities found that neither was qualified since both the organisations did not possess advanced machinery. The MCC Council decided to hand over the project to Susthira Trust, which Simha and MCC commissioner Gurudutta Hegde recommended,” she said.