Bangalore: The new Mayor D. Venkatesha Murthy presided over the first common review meeting of BBMP in city at its central hall, when BJP corporator N.R. Ramesh demanded strict action against those municipal officials without any mercy, for their indiscreet act of permitting the use of OFC cables in city without an thorisation to favour some private companies in return for benefit.

City commissioner M.K. Shankarlinge Gowda, IAS, promised to take the disciplinary steps against erring officials.

The chief Engineer himself had ignored a decision taken in a previous meeting to allow private companies to use 2500 km. long OFC cables.

Concerned officers had ignored the warnings, Ramesh charged. In VV Puram circle BSNL and BESCOM contractors were not using authorised cables due to which BBMP was losing crores of rupees, he pointed out. He was supported by former Dy. Mayor, S. Harish. Harish told the meeting that about 2200 km. long road was dreg up to lay unauthorised OFC cables because the chief Engineer was hand-in-gloves with BSNL and BESCOM contractors to make extra money.

Opposition leader Udayshankar confirmed this nefarious deal and digging work and demanded a stop to the Rs 700 crores underhand activity. He was supported by BJP corporator B.V. Ganesh.