Lokayukta warns govt officials against misuse of funds

Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao has warned that action will be initiated against government officials for misusing the government funds. In the public grievances meeting at Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat hall here on Friday, he said that withdrawing funds by submitting a few photos of works undertaken and using it for personal benefit will not be tolerated.

Ariyadka gram panchayat member Lokesh Rai said the poor quality of waste management unit is constructed in the gram panchayat limits. Records showed that roads have been developed in the gram panchayat limits. In reality, no development works have been initiated.

The Lokayukta gave one month time to the gram panchayat to respond.

Activist G Hanumantha Kamath accused the MCC of giving permission to an unauthorised building near Hampankatta signal. Inspite of bringing the issue to the notice of the MCC, no action was initiated when the building was under construction. The building has no single site approval or parking space.

The Lokayukta directed MCC Joint Commissioner to conduct a survey in the presence of both the parties on December 11, at 11 am. He also directed to pass an order by January 5, after hearing their objections.

Referring to another case, Kamath complained that  the work on an illegal building is in progress at Kadri for the past six months. Showing the latest photos, he said that builder does not possess license. 

When the MCC Commissioner defended himself saying that license has been issued to the builder, Lokayukta said that he wanted to see the copy of the license.

The MCC officials  showed the license copy, which was signed on November 14. If the MCC had issued license few days ago, then how come the work was initiated six months ago, asked Kamath.

Nalini G Shetty of Sinchana Mahila Mandala of Pejavara Kenjar village said that an illegal liquor shop is  functioning in Thokkodi.

The gram panchayat had passed a resolution against the liquor shop.

However, the excise department has issued license to a shop which is functioning on an illegal building.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Sadashiva Prabhu said that the decision of renewal of license was taken following the High Court order to the Excise Department.  The Lokayukta said that the authorities should collect public opinion as well.

Gilbert D’Silva of Muduperar village said that funds have been misappropriated in the gram panchayat. However, no action has been initiated against erring officials.

Reacting to it, Zilla Panchayat CEO Tulasi Maddineni said that the Panchayat Development Officer of the village has been suspended and inquiry is is progress.

Krishna Shetty Thamar said that government land has been sold in Kotekar village. There are 400 poor  applicants seeking land to construct houses in the gram panchayat.
The available 94 acre government land should be distributed among poor.

The district administration said that the issue of Kumki land is before the High Court.

Lokayukta directed the CEO to conduct an inquiry on the available government land in the village, except cases pending in the court.  In the public grievances meeting, Lokayukta received 72 complaints, 48 were disposed of and notices have been issued to concerned authorities in 24 cases.