- *Massive irregularities in Tri-Municipal Corporations.
- *Crores of public money plundered.
- *Foremen masquerading as Assistant Engineers (AEs) to forge signatures on online coupons.
- *’Forum for Anti-Corruption and Human Rights’ demands a comprehensive inquiry.
- *Urgent attention needed from Tri-Municipal Corporation Special Officer Jayesh Ranjan, IAS.
By flouting the explicit orders of the Commissioner, certain foremen have assumed the roles of Assistant Engineers (AEs) and initiated a massive fuel scam using illegal signatures on fake diesel coupons. There is a glaring discrepancy between the vehicles’ GPS tracking data and their documented diesel consumption. Expressing deep outrage over this racket, the ‘Forum for Anti-Corruption and Human Rights’ has strongly demanded a comprehensive vigilance inquiry by the ACB (Anti-Corruption Bureau) or the CID (Criminal Investigation Department).
*Hyderabad, June 7 (Bharata Shakti Correspondent):
A massive fuel supply scam is reportedly running rampant across the “Greater Hyderabad (GHMC), Malkajgiri (MMC), and Cyberabad (CMC) Municipal Corporations. Allegations have surfaced that certain officials and staff members have colluded to siphon off crores of government funds by completely disregarding clear directives issued by the Municipal Commissioners.
This issue came to light and triggered panic across the Tri-Municipal Corporation circles after the ‘Forum for Anti-Corruption and Human Rights’ released an open letter raising hard-hitting questions about the ongoing fraud.
*Violation of Rules and Unofficial ‘Authority’
The Municipal Commissioner had previously issued strict orders stating that only Assistant Engineers (AEs) and Divisional Engineers (DEs) are authorized to sign online diesel coupons for GHMC vehicles.
However, these rules are being completely violated on the ground. Foremen working in the workshops have turned into self-proclaimed ‘Acting AEs/DEs’ without any official authorization. They are routinely signing and approving online fuel coupons.
Key Questions Raised:
Who granted these foremen the authority to sign?
*Are there any written orders backing this, or is this parallel system running with the tacit support of higher officials?
Experts point out that defying the Commissioner’s orders amounts to a severe breach of official discipline.
Three Years of Accounts Must Be Audited
This covert operation has reportedly been going on for the past three years. The fact that no internal audit has been conducted so far regarding the number of fuel coupons approved by these foremen (either digitally or manually), the volume of diesel issued, and its total monetary value over this period raises serious suspicions.
*Need for Scientific and Technical Evidence
Every vehicle under GHMC, MMC, and CMC must maintain a proper Log Book to ensure a precise balance between fuel consumption and the distance traveled (Kilometer-to-Fuel Ratio). However, preliminary evidence suggests that despite having modern technology in place, the vehicles’ GPS data does not match the volume of diesel issued through the online coupons.
*Fake Coupons and a Forgery Racket
Beyond the abuse of official power, severe criminal irregularities—including the creation of fake coupons and forgery of signatures—have come to light. It is alleged that even when vehicles remain stationary in the sheds, records are being manipulated to show hundreds of liters of diesel consumption to draw government funds. This is a blatant plunder of public money.
*Demand for a Vigilance Inquiry
The ‘Forum for Anti-Corruption and Human Rights’ has demanded immediate action from the GHMC Commissioner. They have called for a special forensic audit and requested that the case be handed over to the **Criminal Investigation Department (CID) or the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for a thorough probe.
Civil society is demanding that the financial losses be recovered from the responsible officials and that the complete data regarding diesel coupon distribution be made transparently available to the public. There is an urgent need for an internal inquiry into this violation of orders to punish the masterminds behind this ‘Diesel Mafia’.
