Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Sep 1: The state government previously held Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) accountable for irregularities in gram panchayats. However, the government is now considering making gram panchayat presidents and members responsible for such scams as well. It has requested a report from zilla panchayats on this matter.

In gram panchayats, only PDOs and presidents are required to jointly sign the balance sheet and budget. Funds are allocated for any work only after their signatures. Occasionally, even when there are financial discrepancies, the president may agree to release funds, prompting the PDO to give consent. However, when departmental audits reveal scams, only PDOs are subjected to inquiries, while gram panchayat presidents face no action.

The PDO Welfare Association has appealed to the state government to hold all representatives with signing authority accountable in corruption cases. The state government has responded positively and is drafting rules to hold elected representatives accountable. The Karnataka Panchayat Raj Commissionerate issued a circular to all CEOs on July 30, outlining potential actions against PDOs, presidents, members, and engineers. The state government will make the final decision.

Of the 5,963 gram panchayats in Karnataka, there are 91,437 elected representatives and 5,226 PDOs. Over the past two years, 756 PDOs have been under investigation for corruption, with 125 either falling ill or committing suicide.

Nagesh, president of the PDO Association, said, "Presidents of gram panchayats share equal responsibility with PDOs in managing gram panchayat funds. Holding the panchayat presidents accountable for financial management is the right course of action."