The Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat on Saturday decided to initiate an inquiry into the activities of the Department of Youth Services and Sports in the district following complaints by members of mismanagement of funds. During the general meeting, the zilla panchayat members raised their objections about the behaviour of the officials of the department. They also expressed their unhappiness over the way youth festivals are conducted in the district.
Raising the issue, Congress member Devaraj K.S. spoke of how the department officials behaved with athlete Sahana Anekallu in the State-level athletic meet in Belgaum in December 2012.
Mr. Devaraj said the athlete, a topper in a district-level sports meet, was given tracksuits and sent to Belgaum. “After taking her there they did not allow her to participate in the events stating that she had not attended taluk-level event. She was also sent back without paying travel allowance. We cannot tolerate such attitude of officials against sportspersons,” he said. The officials have so far not disclosed the amount spent on allowances for the event.
Mr. Devaraj then accused the department of organising Yuvajana Mela in Surathkal last month in a hurried manner.
“They informed youth associations just a day before the function. They just want to hold a Mela and are not serious about youth attending such events,” Mr. Devaraj said and sought disciplinary action against officials.
Another member Keshava Gowda said the department was not serious about organising sports events and youth related activities. Eshwar Kateel expressed the need to overhaul the district unit of the Department of Youth Services and Sports.
Chief Executive Officer K.N. Vijay Prakash said an inquiry would be conducted by the Deputy Secretary of Zilla Panchyat over the activities of Department in the district for the last three years.
He said there had been dissatisfaction over the work of Deputy Director of Youth Services and Sports. “Deputy Commissioner has also endorsed this opinion. We have requested the State Government to transfer this official,” he said.
Fury over delay
Earlier Congress member M.S. Mohammed took officials to task for delay in building a house for a poor Malekudiya family who are presently staying at a health centre in Salettoor in Koland Gram Panchayat. Some members expressed their displeasure over funds being stopped for beneficiaries of Basava Vasati Yojane – a scheme for building house for the homeless.
Compensation sought
Congress member Mamatha Gatti urged the State Government to pay Rs. 80 lakh as compensation to family members of the 22-year-old girl from Baltila Gram Panchayat in Bantwal, who was molested and murdered on February 25. Member Chandrakala C.K. said compensation should also be paid to the family members of 17-year-old girl who was raped and murdered in Ujire.
