Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Sep 17: Members of CPM and democratic youth federation of India (DYFI) organized a protest in front of Harekala gram panchayat, urging the panchayat development officer (PDO) to reveal names of panchayat members involved in irregularities.
Earlier, PDO had openly admitted irregularities in the panchayat.
CPM and DYFI had together held this protest against improper usage of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act funds which allots house sites to the landless. The members also alleged misappropriation of taxes remitted in the panchayat.
PDO Kamalesh, panchayat president, Mohandas Shetty, former president, Muhammed Shali and a member Basheer Umbuda held talks with protesters. The protesters alleged that over a lac of rupees had been remitted to the bank towards taxes collected during the last six months and accused panchayat members of diverting panchayat funds for their selfish ends.
In a bid to clarify the position the PDO said that irregularities had in fact occurred in the panchayat dealings, but added that they have since been set right. The protesters demanded to know the names of members who indulged in irregularities. They said if the officials fail to reveal the names, people might think that every panchayat member is a cheat. However, the PDO was hesitating to reveal the names.
Taluk panchayat assistant director, Savita who came to the spot and said that irresponsible and irregular transaction had taken place in the panchayat. She said detailed investigation would be held and information would be provided to the protesting leaders by the next general session of the taluk panchayat.
Ullal regional DYFI vice president Rafique Harekal warned an indefinite protest if the promise is not met.
Yadava Shetty said that he has learnt from the district administration that Harekal panchayat had not forwarded any application for house sites from its jurisdiction. He wanted to know the fate of applications filed with the panchayat and steps taken by it to distribute government land and house sites to the applicants.
DYFI state president Muneer Katipalla, CPM zonal secretary, Krishnappa Salian, CITU district secretary, Vasant Achary, Prant Raita Sangha secretary, Yadava Shetty, Panchayat member, Devaki, and several others were present.