After late-night work, MDA office, empty even at 10.45 am

Officers usually work late ahead of routine meetings, clarify Chairman, Commissioner

Mysuru, June 5 -Compared to the hectic activity seen at the Mysuru Development Authority (MDA) late last night when officials and middlemen were reportedly moving through sections and corridors with files, the atmosphere this morning was markedly subdued, with most sections empty.

Even by 10.45 am, despite biometric attendance systems in place, several officials had not reported to duty. A visit by Star of Mysore found most chambers vacant, with only a handful of staff present.

Those who were seen working late into the night were not present in the morning, leaving much of the office unusually quiet during working hours.

The contrast between night and morning activity has raised questions over the functioning of the MDA office. If work continued overnight, observers asked, why were chambers largely vacant during official hours?

MDA Chairman and Mysuru Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy said the situation was linked to preparations for a scheduled meeting at 11 am on June 5 (today).

He said it is common practice in local bodies such as Taluk Panchayats, Town Panchayats and City Corporations for officials to work late into the night to prepare meeting agendas, photocopy documents and complete related formalities to avoid last-minute delays.

“There is nothing unusual or specific to MDA. I have seen the report in Mysuru Mithra about late-night work. This is routine administrative work,” he said.

But surprisingly, for 11 am meeting, none of the officials were at MDA office, even at 10.45 am.

MDA Commissioner K.R. Rakshith also clarified that the late-night activity was part of preparations for the meeting, including photocopying documents to be placed before participants under various agenda items.

“There is nothing illegal here and this process has been going on for the last 50 years. I personally signed a few documents till 9.30 pm and then left the office,” he said.

Responding to questions about the presence of several individuals described as ‘middlemen’ during the late-night activity, Rakshith said they were not middlemen but interested parties checking whether their issues were listed for discussion at the meeting. “They were in the corridors and sections out of curiosity and nothing else,” he added.

Accountability in question

• What work is being carried out at night that cannot be done during day? Why is it being done after office hours?
• How are individuals other than officials being allowed into the inner sections of MDA?
• What authority do they have to enter confidential sections of the office?
• What is the purpose of deploying security personnel if middlemen can gain free access?
• How are middlemen and brokers entering MDA sections and distributing sweets inside the premises?
• MDA meeting proceedings are confidential. How are outsiders able to access or view them in advance?
• If there is no clandestine activity, why did officials rush out upon seeing Star of Mysore cameras?