Mayor violates KMC Act

BANGALORE: Mayor D Venkatesh Murthy has violated Karnataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) Act by appointing S Shankarappa (from Information Department) as his personal secretary, who is presently on deputation to the Forest Department.Shankrappa basically belongs to the Information Department. However, he was sent on deputation to Forest Department where he has been serving as Public Relations Officer.According to Forest Minister’s note dated April 28 (which is two days after Venkatesh Murthy became Mayor), the original order of official on duty has been altered and Shankarappa will now be serving BBMP. It has been mentioned in the official reminder from Department of Forests dated May 7.According to official sources in Urban Development Department, any official from other department who wants to serve BBMP, has to take approval from the Urban Development Department (BBMP Wing).“In this case, Shankarappa’s original department, that is Information Department, has to write to the Urban Development Department (BBMP Wing).But nothing has been done. He was on official duty serving Forest Department and one cannot be appointed from one department to the other directly,” the sources stated. DeniedWhen contacted, the Mayor D Venkatesh Murthy denied that he has appointed Shankarappa, but said that he has been serving as per the government order.“I do not have any executive power to appoint anyone,” he said.But the documents available with Express, which is an official a note signed by Mayor himself on May 8, say that based on his and also Forest Minister’s request, Shankarappa has been appointed as Personal Secretary- I who will also be incharge of Mayor’s office.Further, Mayor said that Shankarappa is serving “part-time” at BBMP.“He (Shankarappa) has knowledge on trees and therefore, BBMP can utilise his service.He will serve here as adviser,” he said.