JOIN USThe Zilla Panchayat passed the action plans for various schemes and projects under the new Budget, despite opposition from disgruntled members, who alleged that their constituencies had not got any funds. The Opposition members staged a walk out.
However, all plans were approved as President Pushpa Amarnath assured that some changes would be effected, and urged the members to pass them as it would become difficult to execute the projects if the code of ethics comes into force in view of the ensuing Grama Panchayat polls.
Criticism
The president and the action plans came under severe criticism during the special meeting held, here, on Tuesday. Former president Suneetha Veerappagowda said, in the 26-year history of the ZP, unspent funds have been returned to the government for the first time in the year 2014-15 and it was ‘a major achievement of the present president’.
“The president had announced that a meeting will be convened before finalising the action plans for various departments. But, the special meeting has been convened without holding the preliminary meeting. While some taluks have got Rs 25 lakh, others have been neglected.
The president has acted in an arbitrary way,” she alleged.
Education Standing Committee president Rajaiah said, the action plans have been chalked out in their respective standing committee meetings and approved by all members, including opposition members.
Chikkannegowda, displaying a copy of the action plans, said, not a single rupee has been alloted for his Annur constituency in H D Kote taluk. But, when C T Rajanna offered to resign if Chikkannegowda proved that his constituency has not got any funds, Chikkannegowda backtracked.
The ZP approved action plans for 121 projects worth Rs 3.93 crore. Under the plan, Education department gets Rs 75 lakh, Heath department - Rs 45 lakh, Ayush department - Rs 30 lakh, Kannada and Culture department Rs 7 lakh, Scheduled Tribes Welfare department - Rs 35 lakh, Backward Classes department - Rs 50 lakh, Agriculture department - Rs 40 lakh, Horticulture department - Rs 30 lakh, Animal Husbandry department - Rs 30 lakh, Fisheries department - Rs 14 lakh, APMC department - Rs 7 lakh and Social Forestry department - Rs 30 lakh.
Nepal relief
Pushpa announced that all employees of the ZP have decided to donate their one day’s salary, while the elected members will give their one month’s salary towards the Nepal earthquake relief fund.