If proved, allegations of financial irregularities warranted the filing of criminal cases against the wrong-doer, said Vijaykumari Shenoy, Principal of the District Training Institute, a government undertaking meant to train the employees of the panchayat raj institutions, on Monday.
Addressing the secretaries of panchayats during the inauguration of a training workshop for them, Ms. Shenoy said financial irregularities were a serious offence. Other kinds of violations of rules that were minor in nature could be dealt with by suspensions. However, where financial irregularities were involved, a criminal case would be registered against the offender, she said.
Ms. Shenoy cautioned the secretaries not to fall prey to pressure from elected representatives. Should they face pressure to act in violation of rules at the behest of elected representatives, they should always stick to the law and act accordingly.
Deputy Secretary K. Shivarame Gowda referred to political pressure and said it was best to follow the rules. He said that working for the development of a village was “difficult, but not impossible”.
