ZP moots inquiry into tribal fund misuse

Project Co-ordinator has three accounts, bungled up Rs 89.6 lakh

Giving out the details on the misappropriation at the Zilla Panchayat meeting here on Tuesday, Chief Account Officer A N Ramdas said that Patalappa had three bank accounts in his name.

The funds from the ITDP was directly getting deposited to his account. He had opened the bank account without seeking permission from any of the top officials. Following the departmental inquiry, the state government has already suspended him. A criminal case has been filed against Dr Patalappa in Mangalore. However, he is still missing.

He said that the funds released to ITDP come under state sector and the Zilla Panchayat will not be aware on the funds released to the ITDP.

In charge CEO Shivarame Gowda said that following the incident, the state government has directed the Social welfare department, BCM department and ITDP to have joint account in the name of ZP CEO and district officer. There will be no bank account at the taluk level.

Earlier, members Pakeera, Devaraj, M S Mohammed, Keshava Gowda, Asha Thimma Gowda urged the ZP President to constitute a committee to probe into the misappropriation. The members said that corruption should be checked at the grassroots level. MLA U T Khader said that the Zilla Panchayat should pass a resolution that all the funds released to various departments under state sector should be brought to the notice of the Zilla Panchayat. To which all the members agreed.

Delay in payment

When the members said that Zilla Panchayat has blocked the release of funds to Gram Panchayats under Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), in charge CEO said that Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj had sent a circular to all the ZPs across the state to check leakage and misuse of funds under MGNREGS. Accordingly, Nodal Officers have been asked to verify the works undertaken in the month of March. Only after getting the report, the funds are being released to make the payment.

He said “we have received report on 58 gram panchayats and the funds have been released for 48 gram panchayats. The funds will be released to all the Gram Panchayats by June 10.”

Anganwadi

Khader said that Anganwadi workers and assistants are not paid honourarium properly.
The official from women and child welfare department said that since the funds are not released on time by the centre, the monthly honourarium could not be paid on time.

Health Centres

Member Koragappa Naik alleged that the 24X7 health centre at Ujire is not functioning round the clock. When member Thulasi Poojary said that the medical officer at Primary Health Centre at Padangadi is mentally unbalanced, DHO Dr Srirangappa said that he has already written to the higher authorities.

Khader urged the authorities to bring the matter to the notice of the District-in-Charge Minister Krishna Palemar. Vice-President  Dhanalaxmi Janardhana and standing committee presidents were present.