From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Nov 12: Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has asked BJP’s Legislative Council Opposition leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy to first fact-check his own twitter posts regarding the alleged irregularities in the Panchayat Raj Department instead of becoming a laughing stock later.

Responding to Narayanaswamy’s post in X platform regarding the government’s decision on giving postings to suspended Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) in Devadurga taluk of Raichur district under the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee works, the minister has given a detailed post pointing out that the irregularities had occurred during the BJP rule in the years 2021-22 till 2022-23.

The government officials had issued orders for suspension of the 37 PDOs under the relevant rules in January 2024 after the irregularities and alleged misappropriation was noticed.

A departmental inquiry is being conducted under the prescribed rules, the minister explained and added that the inquiry is in the final stages. “Action against the guilty officials would be taken as per rules,” he clarified.

However, the minister explained that the BJP government had issued orders on November 25, 2020 stipulating that if the departmental inquiry is not initiated or if the necessary charge sheet is not filed before courts within 6 months from the suspension and if a decision on revoking or continuing the suspension is not taken, then the suspension will be deemed to have been revoked after 6 months.

“The government has already initiated departmental inquiry after the suspension and it is now in the final stages,” Priyank Kharge said.

But in view of the shortage of officials in executing works, the PDOs have been deputed to serve in the department outside Raichuru district as permitted under the rules. “Once the inquiry is completed, action will be taken,” he added.

The minister asked the BJP leader to first verify the facts about the irregularities that took place during the BJP rule and allowed to go unchecked. “We are taking action,” he said.