Mumtaz Ali Khan's son yearned for an AC, but public works officials just wouldn't heed his request for a whole year. They finally came yesterday, a month after the boy's death
Mumtaz Ali Khan's son yearned for an AC, but public works officials just wouldn't heed his request for a whole year. They finally came yesterday, a month after the boy's death
Wakf minister Dr Mumtaz Ali Khan was overcome with emotion yesterday: an air conditioner his son was keen on came two months after his death.
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As minister, Khan is eligible for furniture worth Rs 10 lakh, but the PWD just didn't heed his request for something that costs just about Rs 20,000 for a whole year.
A secular scholar, Khan had not contested the assembly elections, but chief minister Yeddyurappa inducted him into the cabinet because he had pledged that he would make a Muslim a minister if his party formed the government.
"He had not asked for a minister's post," said Jameela. "It was great of Yeddyurappa he made him a minister, but officials are humiliating him."
Officials also harassed her when she asked for a fridge. She finally bought one for Rs 18,500, but they made her run around endlessly when she sought a re-imbursement.
Kantharaju, executive engineer, electrical division, PWD: "The delay is no intentional. After we receive the requisition, we have to see whether we have stocks, or buy it from a licensed contractor. And this takes some time."
But Jameela is convinced the officials are just giving excuses. "They don't even have the courtesy to speak to us properly," she said.
Khan is more worried about the inflated bills produced by PWD officials for furniture they had supplied to his house. "They are claiming they paid Rs 9.2 lakh for furniture that's not even worth Rs 2 lakh," he said.
T R Shivaramu, executive engineer, PWD, said, "The bills are not inflated and the furniture is not substandard.
Someone from the minister's family comes with us when we go out and make purchases."
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