ACB arrests HMWSSB section officer for accepting Rs. 1 lakh bribe in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested a senior assistant section officer from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) in Khairatabad while he was accepting Rs. 1 lakh in exchange for an official favor.
The main accused, senior assistant officer L. Rakesh, was apprehended by the ACB, City Range – I Unit, after he demanded and received a bribe of Rs. 1,00,000 from the complainant, Sri Akber Hussain. The bribe was intended to expedite official matters, including clearing pending bills for January and February and renewing the complainant’s lease license.
Subsequently, the accused officer handed over the bribe to A-2 Sandeep, an outsourcing employee. Their actions constituted a breach of public trust and duty.
The bribe amount was recovered from A-2’s possession, and chemical tests yielded positive results for both A-1 and A-2. A-2’s pant pocket, specifically the right side front pocket, also tested positive for traces of the chemical used for verification.
The accused, L. Rakesh, Junior Assistant in the Finance & Accounts Section of the CGM (E), Revenue Circle, HMWS & SB, Khairtabad, Hyderabad, and A-2 Sandeep, the outsourcing employee, were presented before the Principal Special Judge for SPE and ACB cases at the Court in Nampally, Hyderabad. The case remains under investigation.
CM Revanth Reddy reorganizes disaster management for Greater Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has decided to assign critical responsibilities to the Disaster Management Department within Greater Hyderabad. He has directed officials to implement structural changes and redistribute responsibilities accordingly. In a review meeting at the Secretariat on Monday evening, the Chief Minister discussed the reorganization with officials from Municipal Administration, HMDA, and Musi Development.
Expansion of disaster management responsibilities
Recognizing the geographic expansion of Hyderabad, the Chief Minister ordered the Disaster Management Department to extend its jurisdiction to the Outer Ring Road. He suggested including GHMC, 27 surrounding municipalities and corporations, and 33 gram panchayats within its service area. The department will be renamed the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring Protection (HYDRA). The Chief Minister proposed appointing a DIG-level officer as the director and SP-level officers as additional directors. He also recommended special teams from GHMC, HMDA, the Water Board, city traffic, and other departments to join this new division.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for the Disaster Management Department to offer continuous services to city residents, not just during floods or emergencies. HYDRA should actively address all issues faced by Hyderabad’s citizens, including preserving the city’s tanks and ponds, protecting government properties from encroachments, and managing hoardings and flex banners. Additionally, HYDRA will oversee water pipelines, electricity supply lines, drainage, flood management, and traffic control.
Focus on heritage and infrastructure projects
Chief Minister Reddy directed the acceleration of the Musi River Development Project, aiming to elevate Hyderabad’s international reputation. He stressed the importance of working towards the government’s goal of transforming this project into a landmark. He also ordered officials to take necessary actions to restore historical buildings and structures within the city. The GHMC presented a PowerPoint on various heritage sites, such as the City Library, Charminar Ayurvedic Hospital, and Nizamia Observatory etc. The Chief Minister encouraged exploring ways to develop these sites for tourism and integrating feasible ones into the Musi River Development Project.
The Chief Minister instructed Chief Secretary Shantikumar to draft a comprehensive reorganization plan, including staffing, duties, and budget allocations for HYDRA. He also emphasized identifying key areas where the Disaster Management Department can enhance its operations.
The meeting included Chief Secretary Shantikumar, Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development Danakishore, GHMC Commissioner Amrapali, GHMC Vigilance Disaster Management Commissioner A.V. Ranganath, and Hyderabad Water Board MD Ashok Reddy.
