Mysuru: The Mysore Palace Board Deputy Director T.S. Subramanya has been suspended on Tuesday May 19 in connection with this alleged Gold Leaf Scam of the Mysore Palace, for the second time.
Earlier Subramanya was transferred referring to the allegation, however this time he has challenged his suspension as he feels the order is untenable and vindictive in nature. Thus the order of suspension would go before the Karnataka High Court.
The original complaint in this regard was filed by an agriculturist from Nanjangud, who knew nothing about heritage building, restoration works and much less gold leafing. However, the ball was set rolling with the Lokayukta taking up the investigation and filing an FIR against 10 persons connected with the Rs. 3.65 crore restoration and gold leafing work in the Palace in connection with the centenary celebrations of the Mysore Palace. Apparently there was urgency to complete the works.
The 10 persons named in the FIR are: The former Palace Board Deputy Director P.V. Avaradi, the present Deputy Director T.S. Subramanya, Assistant Engineers C.N. Lakshmeesha, V. Srinivas, B.R. Muralidhara Rao, Assistant Executive Engineers C.S. Rajashekare Gowda, M.K. Somashekar, Parashivamurthy, Shehzad Khan, Proprietor of Pink City International of Mumbai and artiste Ganjifa Raghupathi Bhat of Ganjifa painting fame, a National Award winner, who has been shown as the 10th accused in the case.
It is surprising that even as the Lokayukta is seized of the matter, Subramanya’s suspension order has been issued. The present action by the State Government against Subramanya follows a letter sent to Chief Minister by an MLA two months back to post a particular person to Subramanya’s place.
Based on the letter, the Chief Minister wrote to the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) Secretary in March to transfer Subramanya. However, the DPAR Secretary is said to have written to CM mentioning that Subramanya was already transferred once to Dharwad but since he is a permanent employee of Palace Board he went to the High Court in writ petition number 54623/2013 where the Advocate General himself was present. After arguments were presented the order of transfer was withdrawn on 05-03-2014.
As such, the file was sent to CM on 15-03-2015 with the relevant information also mentioning that once again transferring Subramanya might be inappropriate and he might go to the Court again.
According to sources, so far nobody had demanded Subramanya’s suspension, neither the Lokayukta nor the administration. The Lokayukta had only asked for transfer of Subramanya about one-and-a-half years back following which he was transferred as mentioned above and Subramanya went to the Court and got the transfer order revoked.
It was only then the Chief Minister in a note on 11-05-2015 asked the Chief Secretary to suspend Subramanya and accordingly Subramanya was suspended last evening.
Reportedly, if the intention behind suspending Subramanya was for the apprehension that he might destroy evidence connected with this case as mentioned by the Karnataka Lokayukta in its letter dated as back as 15-07-2014, the purpose could have been achieved by asking him to go on leave at the time when Lokayukta wrote that letter.
It may be mentioned the Lokayukta had in its letter asked only for his transfer but since transferring was not possible under the law the Chief Minister had rather arbitrarily decided on suspension, which is penal in nature considering nothing has been proved so far, instead of sending him on leave.
About the Gold leaf Scam:
The iconic Amba Vilas Palace, popularly known as Mysore Palace, which is visited by millions of tourists every year, has become the latest victim of corruption in Karnataka. Following reports that the quality of gold leafing work at Durbar Hall of the palace was poor and was done in a hurry, the state’s anti-corruption body Lokayukta booked 10 officials for their alleged involvement in the scam.
The state government had approved the gold-leafing project (layering liquid form 24-carat gold onto the walls of the majestic Durbar Hall) five years ago. However, historians, who visited the palace found a sub-standard quality of work. Instead of gold leaf, in a few places, golden paint was used. In some places, the wall developed cracks because of inferior quality workmanship.
However, before filing the FIR, the Lokayukta had asked the Lucknow-based National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Property to look into the matter. It found out that the gold-leafing works executed were of “sub-standard” quality and suggested a detailed probe.
Every year the government spent a substantial amount on the gold-leafing project. In 2011, Rs 55 lakh was sanctioned; in 2012, Rs 24 lakh was sanctioned; and in 2013, Rs 3.65 crore was sanctioned.
It is alleged that the contract to execute the gold-leafing project was awarded to a contractor in violation of Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act, 1999. The development comes as a serious embarrassment to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who hails from Mysore. Though the contract was not awarded by his government, the issue is likely to affect him and his government.
