Karnataka Development Programme Review Committee in its monthly meeting here on Tuesday decided to conduct an inquiry into the alleged missing of 134 bags of “bevina hindi” (neem cake fertilizer) from the warehouse of horticulture department at Puttur a week ago.
After the issue came up at the meeting, K. Koragappa Naik, president of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat announced that Y. Shivaramaiah, Deputy Project Coordinator, Rashtrriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, would conduct the inquiry.
Pakeera M., chairman, Standing Committee for Social Justice, who raised the subject claimed that of the 222 bags meant for distribution (sale) to farmers, 88 bags had been sold. Mr. Pakeera claimed that 134 bags had been transported to a person’s house at Panaje. He urged that the meeting should recommend for an inquiry by Lokayukta.
Mr. Pakeera said a local newspaper had reported about it.
Responding to it Yogesh H. R., Deputy Director, Department of Horticulture, Dakshina Kannada said that following the incident the Executive Officer of Puttur taluk panchayat and Assistant Director of the Horticulture Department at Puttur have visited the spot with himself. He claimed that nobody was furnishing accurate details.
Mr. Yogesh said that after the issue came to light the assistant horticulture officer (AHO) at Puttur was not reporting to work. His cell phone was also not accessible.
Following this, the president ordered an independent inquiry by Mr. Shivaramaiah. He said that next course of action would be based on the inquiry report.
Mr. Naik instructed minor irrigation department officials to reserve funds for the repair of channels supplying water to paddy fields in Mundaje and Kadirudyavara from vented dams and Mundaje and Valambra.
The president instructed the officials of Department of Women and Child Welfare to reconstruct an Anganwadi building at Hathyadkka village in Belthangady taluk.
Angry Naik
Unhappy that officials were not furnishing proper information, president Mr. Naik threatened to stop conducting the monthly Karnataka Development Programme Review Committee meeting from next month.
Mr. Naik wondered if officials were not replying properly due to fear of presence of media persons at the meeting. “If that is so, from next meeting onwards I will not invite media persons,” he said.
