Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Aug 12: Former legislator representing Beltangady constituency, K Vasanth Bangera, accused current MLA Harish Poonja of collecting huge amounts from the general public last year in the name of undertaking relief works due to huge floods and landslides but not doing anything. "In the name of Kalaji Fund, Poonja collected money but has not disbursed even a single rupee to anyone. This is a case of mega financial irregularity. This huge irregularity should be probed," he demanded, addressing a press meet held here on Tuesday August 11.

Bangera said that crores of rupees were collected in the name of people devastated by floods last year. He said that Poonja had also collected loads of rice, household goods and other things, and also forcefully collected money from service cooperative banks. He said even after a year, account for this money was not provided to anyone, nor has any money been disbursed to anyone. "We need accounts like how money was collected, and what was done out of the collection made," he stated.

Bangera said that it would have helped the flood-hit people if the money was disbursed to them immediately. "Looking at the fact that the money was not given even after a year, there is a strong feeling that irregularity has taken place," he insisted.

He also charged the government of not properly distributing facilities to flood affected people and that irregularities were found in preparing list of affected people. He said a new house was sanctioned to even those who did not face any problem from floods.

Beltangady rural block Congress president Ranjan G Gowda, town unit president Shylesh Kumar, zilla panchayat member Shekhar Kukedi and leader Manohar Kumar, were present.