ZP members seek CoD inquiry into watershed dept works

Funds released but works not started yet

Zilla Panchayat members have demanded CoD or Lokayukta inquiry into various developmental work undertaken by watershed department in Koppa taluk limits.

During the officers’ meeting, presided over by ZP CEO Rangegowda, held at Athikudige GP hall, ZP member Kukkdige Ravindra said that since they suspect misappropriation of funds in the Watershed departmental works, inquiry is a must.

“The projects started in 2008-09 are still pending. We had sought details of the works undertaken by the department couple of months ago but so far the department has not given any reply,” he said.

Standing by the observation of ZP members, Taluk Panchayat Vice-President Bendehakkalu Narayan said that details with regard to the selection of beneficiaries for schemes under Agriculture, Horticulture and Forest Department too are not available. Horticulture Department Officer Ashok said that the work in the department is suffering due to acute shortage of staff.

Raged by this Member Kukkodige Ravindra questioned him as to why the department feels shortage of staff only to do its work, while they have no problem in drawing the funds and utilizing it without maintaining proper records.

CEO Rangegowda said that the departments should provide information with regard to various work taken up in Panchayats limits to the respective Panchayats. The Panchayats, in turn should display these statistics on the display board.

Later when the CEO inspected various spots where work had taken place, possibility of misappropriation was evident in Watershed and DPAP projects. Though over lakhs of rupees have been withdrawn the work had not started yet.

It was found that though Rs one lakh was withdrawn, a year ago to build check dam on land belonging to a local resident named Vishnumurthy, the work was started only on Thursday.

GP Chief cries

When the discussion over alleged misappropriation in Watershed Department was going on, Gram Panchayat President Sunanda shed tears because of the warning tone of the ZP CEO.

The issue was that the Watershed Department had misled the GP Chief and drawn funds for some project during 2010-11, which has not been completed yet.

Speaking to GP Chief about the same, the ZP CEO told her that she has responsibilities and she should have read the documents before signing it.

“In this case criminal suit can be filed against you and you can even land in jail,” said the CEO. Petrified by this, the Gram Panchayat President started crying in the hall explaining that she had signed trusting Watershed Department Officer Jayaraj who convinced her that the money would go back to Government if not used at the earliest.