Pics: Arun Uppinangady
Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Oct 30: Relating to a number of allegations that crores of rupees have been siphoned off through clandestine activities going on at the sprawling cattle farm in Koila village that is spread over 800
acres of land, a preliminary inquiry was given a beginning by the joint director in the department of animal husbandry, Dr Vishwanath, on Friday October 29. He heard the views of the complainants, who had
alleged large scale irregularities in the farm.

Local panchayat vice president, Balakrishna Gowda, and Ravikiran Koila, who took part in the inquiry, said that the farm has been a hub of illegal activities since the last 20 years. “Government funds are being swindled by officials. The officials of the centre themselves arranged for the pulling down of the solar fencing provided to protect the farm’s landed property. Corruption is rampant in the sale of pigs, and monetary transactions are conducted without issuing any receipts.

Residential quarters and other buildings are unnecessarily being built in the farm, and then left to get dilapidated. The officials also extend tacit support to unethical activities including adultery in these deserted buildings. The officials and other staff of the farm have a role to play in acts of starting fire and destroying stock of hay, disappearance of trees from the farm’s property etc.,” they said, and wanted in-depth investigation into all these charges.

The joint director, who gave a patient hearing to the complainants, told them that he would submit an inquiry report to the commissioner, and that further steps would be taken as per the decision of the
commissioner. Koila panchayat former president, Sheenappa Goida, deputy directors of Koila cattle farm, Dr Venkatesh and Dr Tirumalesh Bhat, were present.

One of the complainants, Ravikiran Koila, in a statement later, expressed doubts about the genuineness of the inquiry. He said that the joint director, who was entrusted with the responsibility of
holding the inquiry, had listened to them and made some notes in his writing pad, without obtaining any signatures on their statements. He also alleged that the officer neither asked for the comments of the
farm’s officials on the charges levelled, nor summoned the records concerned. He said he suspects that the inquiry is being conducted to hush up the irregularities, considering the fact that the officials were not questioned and records were not verified, in the presence of the complainants.

He also warned that protests on a larger scale with the support of the general public would be launched, if the government does not undertake inquiry into these irregularities honestly, and punishes the officials found guilty of wrongdoing.