In the meeting that was conducted in the Panchayat Auditorium, the members expressed unhappiness over mishandling of various projects in their respective fields. They alleged that the president and the chief executive officer of the Zilla Panchayat are doing nothing to change the conditions in the district.

Few minutes into the meeting, transfer, suspension and appointment of Panchayat secretaries and engineers became the topic of discussion. The members complained that they are not informed before the officers are transfered. They questioned the rules according to which such actions are taken.

The members complained that no action had been taken as yet against a corrupt Grama Panchayat secretary in a village in Gauribidanur taluk, who had duped the Panchayat of Rs seven lakh, three years ago. A police case has also not been registered against the officer, they said.

Tongue-tied

When Gauribidanur executive officer Gopal failed to respond to the matter, legislator K P Bacchegowda took the officer to task. He asked Gopal why no action was taken towards providing justice in the matter. This worried the officer all the more and he said he would register a case in the police station within two days. “I do not know where he is,” said Gopal, when Bacchegowda asked him about the whereabouts of the corrupt officer.

ZP member Obalappa alleged that money worth crores of rupees were misused while implementing various government projects. Yet, no investigation has taken place even in these cases, he said. He demanded that CBI investigation be conducted for all the corruption cases in the district and the culprits be punished according to law.

Hospital woes

Matters regarding the Government Hospitals were also raised. “Most of the facilities are to be found only on paper. The hospitals have no nurses, beds, medicines or even enough number of doctors,” said Anand.

Responding to the questions raised, district health officer Dr Byragowda said necessary steps have been taken to fill in the empty posts of doctors and medical staff.

Zilla Panchayat president R Vinutha Srinivas, vice-president A V Poojappa, chief executive officer V Yashwanth were present during the meeting.