Hyderabad:The government’s decision to file a case against former minister KT Rama Rao and top officials of HMDA has sent shivers down the spines of officials in the accounts and engineering wings of the urban development authority.
Apart from Rama Rao, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) had also booked former Special Chief Secretary of MA&UD Arvind Kumar, who is Metropolitan Commissioner, HMDA, and former HMDA Chief Engineer BLN Reddy for alleged irregularities. The Formula E-Car race was held in Hyderabad a year ago.
Apart from HMDA officials, some officials working in the Buddha Purnima Project Authority (BPPA), which was originally formed for the development of the Hussainsagar Lake and its environs, and the Hyderabad Growth Corridor Limited (HGCL), are also worried about the latest developments after the ACB. case
Even those who report to the former chief engineer are worried, even as the accounts department officials fear being held accountable for the transfer of funds or being questioned by the ACB.
“They have already started consulting lawyers,” said an HMDA official, wondering why employees who followed their boss’s instructions would suffer.
“Which officer dares to ask for written instructions regarding the execution of work or the transfer of funds when the special chief secretary workers and ministers are personally monitoring and implementing them,” he said.
“GHMC officials executed some actions related to e-car race. Will ACB also question them? He added.
E-car case timeline
2022
October 25: An agreement was signed by Formula E Operations (FEO) to host Formula E seasons 9, 10, 11 and 12 in Hyderabad.
2023
February 10: First two-day e-car race held
September 25: HMDA receives invoice of Rs 22.69 crore raised by FEO towards first installment of Season 10
September 27: HMDA Metropolitan Commissioner and MAUD Special Chief Secretary Arvind Kumar sent a file to then Minister KT Rama Rao for approval to be the promoter and host for season 10 and spend Rs 110 crore towards fees and Rs 50 crore for supporting work.
September 29: HMDA receives another invoice of `23.01 crore for the second installment
October 9: The Model Code of Conduct for Assembly Elections came into force, making the approval of the Election Commission of India mandatory for the release of funds.
October 11: HMDA transfers Rs 55 crore to FEO account in United Kingdom
October 27: FEO sends HMDA an email revoking the October 2022 tripartite agreement
October 30: A new agreement was signed between FEO and MAUD under which the state not only paid the sponsorship fee of Rs 90 crore but also provided civil and logistical support for the e-car race, including laying the track.
December 7: Congress government a. Revant Reddy was sworn in
Serious irregularity
1. Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao and Special Secretary Arvind Kumar handed over Rs 55 crore of public funds to the FEO while the old contract was still in force and there was no obligation to pay under the permanent contract. The payment was made in the hope of becoming the state promoter under the new contract that was later entered into.
2. No prior approval was obtained from the Election Commission of India for release of payments or entering into new contracts.
3. HMDA violated the mandatory rule of getting Finance Department’s concurrence to make payments above Rs.
4. Payment was made in foreign currency in violation of existing foreign currency remittance rules and regulations.
5. Approval of the competent authority, State Council of Ministers was not obtained on behalf of the Governor.