Arguments and counter arguments around the alleged irregularities and corruption in implementing Indira Awaas Yojana and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREHA) dominated the meeting of zilla panchayat general body held here on Wednesday.
The meeting, which was indeed delayed by an hour due to lack of quorum, witnessed bitter arguments between officials and elected representatives cutting across party lines on the issue.
ZP member Prakash Patil raised the issue by complaining against Deodurg Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer for not complying with the resolutions made in previous general body meetings.
“Genuine beneficiaries of the housing scheme are endlessly waiting for financial aid for the houses they had built under the scheme. On the other hand, the mighty and influential in the rural areas, who have already got money through cheques under the scheme, are once again given money online for the same house. Same is the case with MNREGA. The issue has been raised in the last three meetings and resolutions were made. But, the irregularities and corruption continues unabated,” he said.
When Chief Accounts Officer (CAO) Sharanabasava Kesaratti denied the allegation, some more members including Danappa Alkod, Vishwanath Patil and Aslma Pasha, verbally attacked him with specific cases.
“We had, in previous meetings, given a list of gram panchayats in Deodurg taluk where duplication of payments were being made. It was also resolved to inquire into the allegations and submit a report within three days. The executive officer did not bother complying with the resolution even after several months. How can you deny the allegations without an enquiry?” Vishwanath Patil asked.
Danappa Alkod said that the CAO was deliberately misleading the meeting.
At a point, all the officials, including Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard Vincent D’Souza were answerless. The topic was closed with the CEO seeking three more days.
No vigilance meetings
Elected representatives complained that the projects and welfare schemes were being approved and implemented without conducting vigilance committee meetings at each Assembly Constituency.
‘Projects and welfare schemes are being approved without holding vigilance meetings’
