JD(S) says KFDC officials misused funds

Addressing a press meet here, he urged the District-in-Charge Minister to order for probe into the tender process for the purchase of materials for KFDC outlets and ice plants. He said that he will submit a complaint to the Lokaykuta with all documents on the misappropriation in the KFDC within two days. “If the Lokayukta fails to react, then we will stage a protest in front of the KFDC office,” he warned.

He said “the Central government had given Rs 25 crore and the State government had given Rs 4 crore to the KFDC. Instead of repairing the old ice plants in Karnataka, the KFDC is involved in constructing new ice plants. Karwar and Honnavar regions are yet to get new ice plants. However, the KFDC has already purchased generators for Karwar and Honnavar. On the other hand, Malpe has a fulfledged ice plant, which does not have generator,” he alleged.

“While inviting tender for the purchase of materials, the MD had given his personal mobile number for contact. In all the cases, three companies had applied for the tender. If other companies applied for tender, they were cancelled citing technical reasons,” he said.

“V K Shetty has been serving the Corporation for the last nine years and has been serving in DK for the last 25 years. Amarnath Jain, an employee of PWD was deputed to Fisheries Department. However, from Fisheries department, he has entered KFDC by violating all the service rules. “By violating the Service Rules 1970, seven officials from other departments were deputed to the KFDC. However, 36 persons from KFDC were shifted to Excise department. By citing shortage of staff as reason, as many as 200 labourers have been taken on contract basis. However, there is no attendance book to show the service of the contract labourers. The contract labourers have not been given any facilities.

Inspite, District-in-Charge Minister Krishna Palemar writing letter to the KFDC to release DA for its employees, the employees have not received so far. The KFDC has not called officials meeting for the last two years. The KFDC has seven nominated directors. However, for the last three years, none has been nominated by the government,” he alleged.