Latest news with #KTPP
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Panchayat officials must improve efficiency: ZP CEO
Mandya: Taluk panchayat executive officers and panchayat development officers (PDOs) must perform their duties with efficiency, discipline, and integrity—earning recognition while avoiding public complaints, said zilla panchayat chief executive officer KR Nandini. Addressing a grievance redressal meeting for PDOs at Ambedkar Bhavan, Nandini emphasised the importance of self-satisfaction in public service and noted that several PDOs in the district were recognised for their exemplary work. To further encourage performance, she announced that PDOs' health will be assessed every six months, and those demonstrating exceptional work will receive awards in the presence of their families. 17,500 register for summer camp Citing the successful registration of 17,500 children for summer camps organised across all gram panchayats in the district, Nandini attributed the achievement to effective coordination between taluk panchayat executive officers and PDOs. She underscored the need for continued teamwork to serve the public efficiently. PDOs and panchayat staff were encouraged to openly share administrative concerns. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Nandini directed that taluk panchayat executive officers should conduct monthly two-to-three-hour meetings with PDOs to listen to and resolve issues. She clarified the grievance escalation protocol: unresolved complaints at the taluk level should be forwarded to the district authorities. Additionally, PDO association office bearers have been tasked with organising regular meetings at both taluk and district levels. Nodal officers assigned to each taluk will be available every Monday and Thursday from 3 to 4pm at the district headquarters to hear public grievances. The IAS officer raised serious concerns over violations of Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) rules in gram panchayats. She instructed PDOs to strictly follow the 60:40 ratio policy in planning and ensure that financial transactions during general meetings adhere to the financial code and KTPP norms. Prashanth Babu, president of Mandya district unit of the Karnataka State Panchayat Development Officers' Welfare Association (R), Bengaluru, commended the district CEO for initiating a platform to address PDOs' challenges. He mentioned delayed salary payments across taluks.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Mandya ZP CEO emphasises commitment for efficient governance at grassroots level
Mandya Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer (CEO) K.R. Nandini has said that Gram Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) and taluk panchayat executive officers must work with commitment and integrity for transparent and efficient governance at the grassroots level. Addressing a PDO grievance redressal meeting in Mandya, Ms. Nandini emphasised the importance of public service and said officials must take pride in their duties. 'Several PDOs in the district have demonstrated a good performance. To encourage the officials, health check-ups will be conducted every six months, and awards will be presented to outstanding performers,' she added. Ms. Nandini said that over 17,500 children had been registered for summer camps organised across Gram Panchayats in the district. 'This shows the coordination and discipline among the officials.' Stressing the importance of addressing field-level challenges, Ms. Nandini said PDOs and panchayat staff are being encouraged to voice their concerns freely. Taluk panchayat executive officers have been instructed to hold monthly open-house discussions to address the grievances of PDOs. 'If issues remain unresolved at the taluk level, they must be escalated to the district level for redressal,' she said. Expressing concern over repeated violations of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) norms, she directed PDOs to strictly adhere to the 60:40 ratio while preparing action plans and ensure that expenditures are made as per decisions taken during the general body meetings. 'Compliance with KTPP rules and the financial code is mandatory,' she noted. She said that nodal officers must be available at the district headquarters every Monday and Thursday between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to hear public complaints. Prashanth Babu, president of the Karnataka State Panchayat Development Officers' Welfare Association, Mandya District, described the grievance-handling meeting as a positive step towards resolving field-level challenges. However, he raised concern over delays in salary disbursement, urging that PDOs' salaries are credited by the 5th of every month.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Karnataka home department to procure fuel worth Rs 11crore without tender
Bengaluru: To operate over 2,000 vehicles of the fire and emergency services department, as well as vehicles from home guards and civil defence departments, the govt recently gave exemption to the home department to procure the required fuel for one year through petrocard system. According to the notification issued by the finance department on May 27, the govt exempted the home department from tendering to buy Rs 2 crore worth of fuel from Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL). In another notification issued the same day, an exemption was given from tendering to purchase Rs 9 crore worth of fuel, lubricants and other items from HPCL. According to the notifications, a 4(g) exemption was provided under Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act. This exemption allows the home department to directly procure fuel without going through the tender process. However, a condition was placed on the department to ensure quality services at an appropriate price. According to sources, the home department recently requested the finance department for an exemption from the tender process. The fire and emergency services department has over 2,000 vehicles, including fire-fighting vehicles, two-wheelers, and four-wheelers. Home guards department has more than 500 vehicles.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tamannaah Bhatia to endorse Mysore Sandal soap for Rs 6.2 crore
Bengaluru: Eyeing a further expansion in global markets, state-owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), manufacturers of the famous 'Mysore Sandal' soap, has roped in Bollywood actor Tamannaah Bhatia as its brand ambassador for a whopping Rs 6.2 crore contract. However, the state govt's preference for Tamannaah over Kannada actresses has triggered a backlash on social media. According to a notification issued on Wednesday by the state finance department, Tamannah's contract will be valid for two years and two days. Sources in the commerce and industries department revealed to TOI that after former India skipper and Chennai Super Kings star M S Dhoni , Tamannaah is the second brand ambassador to endorse this iconic soap brand. Facilitating the contract, KSDL has also been granted exemption under the section 4(g) of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act (KTPP) to make a direct payment of Rs 6.2 crore to the actor. Several netizens have questioned commerce and industries minister M B Patil, saying: "When there are so many local, young Kannada actresses, why appoint and promote others?" Defending the govt's choice, Patil clarified: "The move was an independent strategic decision of the PSU board after consulting various marketing experts, aimed at achieving our target of reaching Rs 5,000 crore in annual revenue by 2028." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Direct Shopping From Adidas Franchise Store With 60% Discount Original Adidas Shop Now Undo The minister further said KSDL has the deepest regards for the Kannada film industry. Picked over other leading names KSDL officials revealed to TOI that Tamannaah's appointment was done after evaluating several leading celebrities with pan-India influence. "We evaluated leading celebrities such as Deepika Padukone, Rashmika Mandanna, Pooja Hegde, and Kiara Advani, but Bhatia stood out for her strong pan-India appeal, reasonable engagement terms, and an exceptional digital presence of close to 30 million followers," a KSDL official said. Turning the tide Reeling under severe losses until a few years ago, KSDL turned the tide by posting a record turnover of almost Rs 1,786 crore in 2024-25. "Out of this, a whopping Rs 1,430 crore came from the southern states, revealing our strong regional presence. However, our national market presence is only 6%-7%, and we need to expand this with a strong influencer," explained another KSDL official. In 2006, KSDL had entered into an agreement with Dhoni, but terminated the contract a year later due to the cricketer's inability to devote the agreed time for promotional activities.
Hans India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Govt engaged in loot through illegal tender process, claims BJP
Bengaluru: The Congress-led Karnataka government has been repeatedly involved in corrupt practices and is issuing tenders illegally, offering contracts only to its preferred entities, alleged senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy. Speaking at a press conference held at the Vidhana Soudha on Monday, he said: 'Tenders are being floated on the Karnataka Public Procurement Portal. Even during our tenure, a tender was issued for printing marks cards, and the rate fixed was Rs 9.45 per card. After this government came to power, a tender was called by the Para-Medical Board, quoting Rs 100 for printing a single marks card. Following discussions, the rate was reduced to Rs 91,' he stated. He further said that as the issue came to light in some circles, the government negotiated again and revised the prices — Rs 44 for printing a marks card, Rs 47 for a diploma certificate, and Rs 44 for an internship certificate. A work order was issued with these revised rates on November 29 last year, he added. The contract was awarded to 'Urdhva Management Private Limited' based in Sanjaynagar, Bengaluru. Upon learning this, Narayanaswamy said he wrote to the government secretary on January 8, pointing out violations of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act. 'To this day, no response has been received,' he said, and further noted that the financial bid was approved only on April 12, 2024, even though the work order had already been issued earlier. He also displayed related letters and to a question, Narayanaswamy said this matter falls under the portfolio of Medical Education Minister Sharanprakash Patil. He alleged that the director of Urdhva Management Pvt. Ltd., Venkatareddy D. Patil, is either a close relative or associate of Minister Patil. He claimed that Urdhva Management is an event management company and has no connection whatsoever with printing services. 'They have never handled any printing work,' he alleged. 'Steps have been taken to award the tender to people favoured by the minister. This is a blacklisted company with around 20–25 cases registered against it,' Narayanaswamy said, questioning how such a firm could be awarded the contract. He further alleged that the tender was awarded without even finalising the financial bid. 'When we gave the contract at Rs 9.45 per mark card, it came to Rs 2.45 lakh. But in this bid, they haven't even specified how many certificates are to be printed — meaning they can later decide and print however many they want,' he said. 'Despite writing two or three letters regarding this, I have not received a single response from the Chief Secretary or the concerned department,' he concluded.
