GP members protest by sealing office

Allampura gram panchayat members in Chikkamagaluru taluk locked the gram panchayat office on Thursday and protested against the alleged involvement of panchayat development officer (PDO) in corruption.

At the general meeting of the panchayat, the members levelled allegations against PDO Narasimhamurthy and boycotted the meeting en-masse. Later, they sealed the GP office.

GP member D Pradeep said that the PDO has spent Rs 2.44 lakh without bringing it to the notice of the panchayat members. Moreover, he has submitted counterfeit bills towards the purchase of UPS, mobile phone and the repair of the motor.

The members condemned the lackadaisical attitude of the PDO in clearing the applications submitted by people. On the other hand, he has collected tax from home stays and resorts at a discounted rate, Pradeep said.

“The PDO has not been implementing the resolutions passed during the general meeting of the gram panchayat. No measures have been initiated towards providing mats to anganwadi centres, “ he charged.

Taluk Panchayat executive officer H D Revanna said that a report has been submitted to the zilla panchayat CEO on the conduct of the Allampura PDO. Narasimhamurthy’s predecessor will be transferred back to Allmpura gram panchayat, he added.