Temple Shops Rented Out At Lower Rates

Muzrai Dept does this even without floating a tender

Y. Maheshwara Reddy | NT

Bengaluru, Nov.11:

If the controversy over the reduction of rentals of three shops belonging to Karanji Anjaneya Temple of Basavanagudi is anything to go by, Muzrai Department officials are not immune to corruption and favouritism.

It is said that the Assistant Commissioner of Muzrai Department (Works) has reduced the rent for three shops without floating a tender. “I want the Muzrai Department to float a tender once again to rent out the shops. The Assistant Commissioner has reduced the rentals of the three shops without following the norms,” said Sai Datta, a social activist, adding that he has already sent a letter to the Commissioner of Muzrai Department in this regard.

According to the documents available with News Trail, the Assistant Commissioner (Works) of Muzrai Department has fixed Rs 14,940 for a shop measuring 27.416 square metres, Rs 15,111 for another shop measuring 27.416 square metres and Rs 15,003 for the shop with same measurement. However, the Assistant Commissioner reduced the rent for three shops - Rs 10,643 as against Rs 14,940, Rs 10,764 as against Rs 15,111 and Rs 11,672 as against Rs 15,003. It has caused a loss of Rs 11,975 per month to Karanji Anjaneya Temple. As per the rent fixed earlier, the temple is expected to get Rs 45,054 per month but the temple is expected to receive only Rs 33,079 per month as per the revised rentals.

When contacted, Venkataramana Guruprasad K.V., Assistant Commissioner (Works), Muzrai Department has said the rent was reduced as there were some discrepancies in measurement of shops. “The Executive Officer of Karanji Anjaneya Temple has sent wrong information on the actual measurement of these shops. I have reduced the rent for three shops based on a request from the tenants. I did nothing wrong,” said Guruprasad.Meanwhile, a top official of Muzrai Department has said that rent of the three shops cannot be reduced without floating a tender once again. “I will look into the matter,” the official said.

When informed, Chickpet MLA Uday B Garudachar has said that he was not aware of the issue. “I will look into the matter,” said Uday B Garudachar.