P Chidambaram Proposes Accountability System for Bengaluru Road Infrastructure Development

Bengaluru:

Congress MP P Chidambaram has stated that Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw allegedly offered to finance road repairs in Bengaluru. While welcoming such an initiative, he emphasized that the primary challenge isn't financial resources but rather effective implementation of public works. This statement emerges amid an ongoing digital dispute between Shaw and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar regarding civic infrastructure in the technology hub.

The Biocon chairperson has subsequently denied making any such funding proposal.

"I observed with interest Mrs Kiran Mazumdar Shaw's purported offer to fund the development of certain Bengaluru roads. An excellent proposition! Congratulations! However, our public works challenge isn't lack of public funding; the issue lies in execution," Chidambaram wrote in his online statement.

He proposed an alternative system that would establish direct accountability to a supervising corporate entity or industrialist such as Shaw.

"Governments could modify Mrs Shaw's concept: Public funding, tender processes, etc. can proceed normally to select contractors. Following selection, the contractor would operate under the supervision of a willing company or industrialist like Mrs Shaw," Chidambaram suggested.

Under this framework, the supervising entity would be held accountable for project execution, including responsibility for penalties or cost overruns.

"The contractor would execute the public project (for example, road construction). HOWEVER, the supervising company or industrialist would be responsible for quality assurance and timely completion. Any penalties or additional costs would be absorbed by the supervising company or industrialist," explained the Rajya Sabha MP.

He added that Chennai or Bengaluru would serve as appropriate locations to pilot this concept.

Shaw, a prominent voice in India's corporate sector, has been in conflict with the Karnataka government regarding her criticism of Bengaluru's road conditions.

Her recent social media post questioning state authorities provoked strong reactions from senior Congress leaders, with Shivakumar, who oversees Bengaluru's development, suggesting she had "forgotten her roots." He further alleged a "personal agenda," which Shaw promptly denied.

Reports indicate the deputy chief minister was receptive to the possibility of the Biocon chief funding certain road development projects and stated the government would collaborate with her.

In a recent development, Shaw met with Shivakumar, reportedly to extend an invitation to her nephew's wedding. According to Shivakumar, their conversation encompassed Bengaluru's development, innovation initiatives, and strategic plans for Karnataka's economic advancement.