Bengaluru: In a shocking revelation, the operations of the Assembly Secretariat under the Congress government have come under scrutiny following allegations of a blatant disregard for procurement guidelines in the purchase of artificial intelligence-based (AI) cameras. The procurement, initiated without conducting a necessary tender process, has raised numerous red flags regarding accountability and transparency in government spending.
The clandestine deal was made with Mangalore-based Askin Automation Pvt Ltd for a staggering Rs 41,82,816.80. The fact that the Assembly Secretariat bypassed the Finance Department’s consent and failed to follow established procedures is an alarming oversight that undermines public trust in the government’s commitments to transparency.
Documents obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act reveal a troubling sequence of events: the Finance Department had previously rejected the Assembly Secretariat’s proposal to grant a 4(G) exemption for this procurement on an ad hoc basis, expressing concerns over why the cameras were being purchased from Askin Automation specifically and whether any other vendors could supply similar products. The Assembly Secretariat’s failure to provide justification for bypassing the tender process raises serious questions about favoritism and the integrity of the procurement process.
Despite clearly outlined regulations, the Speaker’s office, led by UT Khader, reportedly pressured the Finance Department to acquiesce to the Assembly’s demands, culminating in an unjustifiable exemption that contradicts the mandate of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act. The implications of this maneuver are disturbing; it signals a government willing to sidestep rules for expediency, a pattern that could lead to further misuse of funds and corruption within the system.
Even more perplexing is that the Assembly Secretariat initiated the procurement project for the AI cameras without waiting for the Finance Department’s approval, contravening the established protocols. Furthermore, the Finance Department had emphasized that no provision allowed for granting ex-post facto approvals under the KTPP Act, yet the Assembly Secretariat acted as though they had unfettered authority.
Despite the perceived urgency, the fundamental responsibility of conducting a fair and open procurement process was apparently overlooked. The Finance Department’s note clearly stated, “the proposed service should be undertaken through a tender process,” yet this advice was not only ignored but resulted in the outright procurement of the equipment without due diligence.
Further escalating concerns, the documentation obtained reveals that even the justification for the rates charged by Askin Automation was absent from the proposal, raising the question: Were competitive rates even considered? This lack of diligence not only contravenes established norms but also points to a concerning trend of financial irresponsibility that characterizes the Congress government’s approach to managing public funds.
It is alarming that the Finance Minister’s office, which should be a bulwark against such violations, succumbed to political pressure from the Speaker’s office and ultimately granted ex-post facto approval for the procurement after the fact, completely disregarding established protocols. The implication here is clear: financial governance within the Congress government is not just flawed; it is susceptible to influence and manipulation.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s tacit approval of the procurement process, alongside the noted determination to pursue a course of action that contradicts departmental regulations, raises initial questions as to the extent of accountability within the state’s leadership. The failure to take disciplinary action against the officials responsible for this procurement breach further indicates a lack of commitment to integrity and transparency in government operations.
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