JOIN US'Government protecting official'
Addressing media persons here on Tuesday, Katipalla said that though Shakunthala was directly responsible for the supply of expired energy food sachets to Anganwadis in the district, only three of her subordinates were suspended by the government.
“It is clear from the department’s action that they were trying to protect Shakunthala in the case. Moreover, the issue of expired energy food supply to Anganwadis was not at all mentioned in the suspension order which was issued to Bantwal Child Development Programme Officer (CDPO) Usman,” he pointed out. Whereas, excess purchase of energy food was cited as reason for suspension in the order, he added.
Further, he alleged that false complaints were filed against DYFI workers who unearthed the issue of supply of expired energy food sachets to Anganwadis in the district.
“Government should withdraw all cases registered against DYFI workers in connection with the issue and suspend Shakunthala immediately to initiate inquiry into the issue properly,” he urged. A legal battle as well as democratic way of protests will be initiated if our demands are not met, he warned.
‘Complaint in advance’
Katipalla said that Shakunthala had personally filed a complaint against DYFI former leader and Advocate B M Bhat at Urwa Police Station on June 4, 2009.
However, the date of occurrence of offence mentioned in the complaint was between June 6 and June 13, 2009, he said and ridiculed that the police had registered the case even before the offence took place!
However, in the FIR filed on July 4, police had stated that the information regarding the offence was received at the police station on July 4, he said adding that the police was also trying to protect Shakunthala.