Daijiworld Media Network – Coorg (EP)

Coorg, Aug 24: The government seized four bank accounts of Madikeri town municipal council and deposited Rs 97 lac from it to the Provident fund account. The ordinary meeting of the council held municipal commissioner B B Pushpavathi and accounts officer responsible for these lapses.

In the meeting presided by council president Bangera a detailed discussion was held about the lapses.

Ameen Mohsin, K S Prakash, P D Ponnappa, K M Ganesh and BJP’s K S Ramesh asked why the matter was not brought to the notice of the council earlier.

“The municipal commissioner has tried to bring a court stay on the seizure of the bank accounts but none of the developments are brought to the notice of the council. The officials have worked behind the curtain for the last three years. They have misused their powers. The council may have to pay interest up to Rs 35 lac on Provident fund which will be a huge burden,” they said.

They urged that the loss of Rs 97 lac should be made good by the municipal commissioner. Municipal commissioner B B Pushpavathi tried to justify her actions saying that the bank accounts were seized under Suo Moto.

“As it was necessary to bring a quick stay order, I have taken legal advice and gone to court. I have conducted no meetings of the contractors and the lapses have been happening since 2011,” she said.

Women members speaking on the occasion said that the officials say there is no money for development works but the money gets wasted on dereliction of duty.

Though Pushpavathi assured to make good the money lost through legal struggle, the members were not convinced.

Congress member came in front of the podium and took Pushpavathi to task.

The members also expressed dissatisfaction regarding damaged roads with several potholes and lack of public toilets.