Tur purchase issue eats into ZP meeting time

A committee comprising Zilla Panchayat members to submit its report soon

The limping inquiry into alleged irregularities in the purchase of tur dal for Akshara Dasoha scheme figured prominently in the Zilla Panchayat progress review meeting held here on Thursday.

Member Yallamma mentioned the issue in the meeting held on July 11. She had alleged that tur dal was being purchased at Rs 42 a kilo in neighbouring Chikkaballapur while it is available for purchase at Rs 68 a kilo in Kolar district. Placing the amount of money embezzled at Rs 1.50 crore, Yallamma demanded action against the individuals involved. A committee comprising ZP members was constituted to look into the charge.

The working style of G F Badanur, the deputy secretary of the ZP and also the member secretary of the probe panel was also criticised by ZP president Manjula, vice president D V Harish and other members.

While Yallamma sought to know the progress of the probe, Badanur replied that the price list was to be obtained from the authorities concerned in Chikkaballapur. He further added that the Akshara Dasoha officer could give a proper answer to thre query.

Badanur’s reply drew flak from several members who said that furnishing the answer is Badanur’s responsibility — in his capacity of member-secretary of the committee.

Nevertheless, Yallamma who agreed that K S Nagaraja Gowda had been the Akshara Dasoha officer when the purchases were made, sought to have him summoned to the meeting.

Badanur also claimed that he was appointed as member-secretary in the absence of the planning director. His attempts to ‘shelve responsibility’ again came in for close scrutiny. On the other hand, vice president D V Harish looked at Narayana Reddy, the president of the committee for answers.

Reddy replied that the probe has been completed and a report will be submitted when the member-secretary fixes a date. Members agreed during the meeting that the report should be submitted in the next general body meeting.

Health assistants

Members Chowdeshwari, Simoul and Krishnappa alleged that health assistants have not been posted to the DK Halli primary health centre for the last one-and-a-half years. They also pointed out the recent controversial case in which a person suffering from a snake bite was only administered painkillers.

In-charge District Health Officer Dr Lakshminarayan said that the district faced a shortage of atleast 12 doctors, 13 nurses and 45 health assistants. He said taluk health officers had been asked to ensure that health assistants attend to their duties regularly.

Member Chowdeshwari sought to know whether a compliance report has been submitted on providing basic amenities at SNR district hospital. Another member Krishnappa alleged that the Health department was not making any serious efforts to arrest the spread of dengue in the district. The health officer replied that a meeting on the issue will be held under the chairmanship of the deputy commissioner on October 4.

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer S M Zulfikarulla said district in-charge secretary P N Srinivasachari will chair a  progress review meeting on September 28 and asked officers from all departments to be prepared to furnish information.

Planning Officer S Dhanush gave a power point presentation on the action plan at the gram panchayat level for the next five years.