GHMC Vigilance Probe Uncovers ₹5 Crore Scam in Badangpet Municipal Corporation
A comprehensive vigilance investigation conducted by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has revealed extensive misuse of public funds within the erstwhile Badangpet Municipal Corporation. The probe has led to the immediate suspension of ten senior officials, including a former commissioner, for allegedly sanctioning 450 unauthorized works totaling ₹5 crore without proper budgetary provisions or government approval.
Former Commissioner at the Center of the Scandal
According to detailed inquiry documents accessed by sources, P Saraswathi, who served as the municipal commissioner of Badangpet during the tenure of the last council in 2025, approved numerous projects allegedly to benefit a specific contractor. Saraswathi is currently serving as deputy commissioner in the Badangpet circle following the GHMC reorganization. The sanctioned works encompassed a wide range of municipal projects, including road construction, sanitation initiatives, engineering works, and urban biodiversity enhancements such as park developments and plantation drives.
Systematic Procedural Violations Uncovered
The investigation uncovered systematic failures to adhere to established administrative protocols. Officials neither informed nor sought necessary approvals from key authorities, including the district collector, additional collector, or the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) department. The probe pointed to apparent collusion among the suspended officials, which included the commissioner, deputy executive engineers, assistant municipal commissioner, sanitary inspector, and audit officer, all of whom failed to flag the irregularities.
A senior official from the GHMC Shamshabad zone stated, "The probe revealed that several projects were initiated under the supervision of the then municipal commissioner without following the mandatory tendering process. Furthermore, multiple building permissions and road works were approved without entries in the essential measurement books, constituting clear violations of standard procedures."
Critical Documentation Ignored
The measurement book, a crucial document that records physical progress and material usage in public works, serves as the foundation for contractor payments and ensures accountability. However, the investigation found that this requirement was largely disregarded by officials, including former commissioners P Saraswathi and G Raghu. This omission facilitated unchecked financial transactions and obscured the true nature of the expenditures.
Misuse of Financial Authority
The vigilance investigation, conducted by a multidisciplinary team comprising officials from police, engineering, and audit wings, also identified misuse of cheque powers. Irregularities ranged from bill clearances for minor supplies like broomsticks to approvals for major infrastructure projects, indicating a broad pattern of financial mismanagement.
Investigation Triggered by Allegations
The inquiry was launched following serious allegations of large-scale financial irregularities, procedural violations, and suspected misappropriation of public funds in the execution of works within Badangpet. Based on the compelling findings and substantial evidence gathered, GHMC authorities have suspended all ten implicated officials with immediate effect, signaling a firm stance against corruption and administrative malpractice.
This case highlights significant vulnerabilities in municipal governance and underscores the urgent need for enhanced oversight mechanisms to protect public resources. The GHMC's decisive action serves as a warning to other officials and reinforces the importance of transparency and accountability in public administration.
