Apology triggers high drama at ZP meet

High drama was witnessed at the general meeting of zilla panchayat here on Wednesday as the members vent their ire against officers, accusing the latter of not according them due respect in compliance with protocol.

Though the chief executive officer of the panchayat G Satyavathi apologised on behalf of the erring officers, it triggered uproar awhile failing the officer’s intention to assuage the feelings of the elected representatives.

Members cutting across party lines cried hoarse, narrating the ordeal they had to undergo owing to alleged violation of protocol.

It all started when Devaraj raised the issue recalling the embarrassment they had to experience over not being invited for ‘Gajapayana’ at Veeranahosahalli forest in Hunsur taluk recently.

The programme had been organised to flag off the first batch of elephants participating in Dasara. In continuance, he was also not invited for unveiling the statue of former chief minister D Devaraj Urs in the town.

“It was an irony of sort, as the chairman of social justice standing committee too was not invited for the particular event, that had been organised to pay respect to the great visionary who vouched for social justice”, Devaraj further alleged.

Another member Dwarkeesh alleged that similar was the treatment meted out at a programme organised at Maregowdanahalli in Beerihundi constituency.

Adding to this Manjula Puttaswamy alleged that she was almost neglected at the KDP meeting held at Taluk Panchayat and presided over by opposition leader Siddaramaiah, while former ZP president K Marigowda was rubbing shoulders on the dais with the leader. “Siddaramaiah also said that he is the supreme in the meeting”, alleged Manjula.

Taking severe exception to this, members K Mahadevu and K Maruti staunch supporters of Siddaramaiah made a bid to defend saying- only legislators have a key role to play in KDP meetings, invitimg the wrath of fellow members.

Endorsing the earlier speakers, C T Rajanna alleged that he was kept away from the taluk sports meet and demanded the authorities to make backward classes and minorities officer, the officer concerned to tender an apology in the meeting. His persistent demand for apology went in vain, as the CEO eventually tendered an apology. Visibly irked, Madappa walked out saying- the CEO sought an apology for no fault of her’s only to protect the officer in question.

Prior to this, the CEO informed that a circular has been received from the office of deputy commissioner. The nine points circular stresses on adhering to the norms to draw protocol, so much so that one cannot go ahead even with the printing of DC’s name on the invitation without bringing it to the latter’s notice. The CEO said- the circular follows the cry of violation of protocol during Gajayapana.

The CEO also didn’t forget to clarify that there is an exclusive tahasildar to maintain protocol, at the office of deputy commissioner.

Site before birth

Madappa, a ZP member brought to the notice of the meeting, a glaring example of official folly just to benefit others. A person in Alathur village in the district, has been benefitted with a site, four years before his birth. “If a person can own a site before existence, how can one expect transpare ncy in the housing schemes”, mocked Madappa.