Funds misuse alleged in shoe stand purchase

An all members meet was convened on Tuesday under the presidentship of Prafulla Manjunath.

The issue was raised by member Rekha Huliappa Gowda who said that an inquiry committee has been formed to look into the alleged misuse of funds in purchase of shoe stands but there has been no information on the findings of the committee and the action taken in this regard.

The CEO said that from an outset, it has been found that there is difference of amount spent by the Watershed Department in purchase of flex board. Since the inquiry on sub standard desks is not satisfactory. Hence re-inquiry will be held.

However, Zilla Panchayat Executive Engineer has been appointed to hold inquiry into the flex board misappropriation. He has already checked the documents.

Due to immense work load, he could not submit a comprehensive report. He is expected to submit the report in 15 days.

The CEO said that the inquiry committee led by him, which looked into the misappropriation in shoe stand purchase by Social Welfare Department has already submitted a report to the District in-charge Minister. Member Savitha Ramesh said that one shoe stand costs Rs 5,130 in the market but the officials have spent Rs 9,712 per shoe stand. She said that the additional amount must be collected from the officials.
The Secretary informed the House that former Social Welfare Officer is due to pay Rs 6.21 lakh. Mudigere officer has paid Rs 9.7 lakh, Kadur officer Rs 3.64 lakh, Koppa Social
Welfare Officer Rs 48,000 and Sringeri officer has to paid Rs 53,000. Though a sum of Rs 13.50 lakh has to be collected from taluk social welfare officers, only Rs 7.28 lakh has been collected so far.

Responding on the sub standard desk issue, Deputy Director of Public Instruction Rangappa said that the amount has been directly released to School Development Monitoring Committee. Deputy Commissioner himself is holding an inquiry into the same.