Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jun 14: After heated debate, the zilla panchayat(ZP) in it's monthly session held on Thursday June 12, decided in favour of entrusting the issue of sanction of Rs 4.5 lakhs meant for the welfare of the disabled to a non-existent entity, to either the Corps of Detectives or the Lokayukta for inquiry.

The members, irrespective of their party affiliations, sought explanation from the concerned for the above irregularity. ZP Chief executive officer A M Kunjappa clarified, that the proposal for sanctioning the amount to Mahatma Gandhi Education Trust had directly been sent by the deputy commissioner to the state government. The deputy director of women and child welfare department and the district welfare officer for the disabled were asked to conduct proper verification before releasing the money. These two officials have certified about the existence of the firm that is non-existent. Although the money has not been parted with, these officials have apparently erred, he explained. As suc sanctions have also been made  to several other institutions, it would be in fitness of things to entrust the invetigation as a whole, to the COD, Kunjappa opined.

Clarifying her stand, women and child development department deputy director Gertrude Veigas said that efforts were made to dupe the department by misguiding the officials. Inspite of repeatedly pointing out to the government that such a firm is not existent, the department director handed over the sanction letter to me and asked to draw the immediately and warned me of adverse consequences if I did not comply, she added.

After discussions, it was decided to get the issue investigated through the CoD or the Lokayukta.