The Anti Corrruption Bureau, Dakshina Kannada, on Friday registered cases against presidents and Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) of six gram panchayats and the District Nodal Officer of Sampoorna Swachata Andolan Rohit A.L. on the charge of misappropriation of funds in the purchase of compost pipes in 2015-16. The cases were registered following sanction from the government to the bureau to prosecute presidents and PDOs of Kodambadi, Aryapu, Bilinale, Koila, Perabe gram panchayats, all in Puttur taluk, and of Jalsoor Gram Panchayat in Sullia taluk. Mr. Rohit has been named as accused in all the six cases.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Sudhir Hegde said that the alleged misappropriation of funds came to light following the arrest of president and PDO of Kutrapady Gram Panchayat and Mr. Rohit on February 28. In April, the bureau sought sanction to prosecute presidents and PDOs of seven gram panchayats. While the government has given sanction with regard to six panchayats, the bureau is awaiting orders pertaining to Ubaradka Mittur Gram Panchayat.
Mr. Hegde said that apart from invoking provisions under the Prevention of Corruption Act against them, the panchayat officials have been charged with violating the provisions of Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act for their failure to call for tenders for procurement of compost pipes.
