Karnataka - Bellary   

Panchayat members unhappy over `lack of power' to get work done

By Our Staff Correspondent

BELLARY, AUG. 31. Members of the Bellary Zilla Panchayat cutting across party lines at the general body meeting here on Tuesday expressed their helplessness in getting work done from the officials.

G. Umesh, President of the Zilla Panchayat, was in the chair.

``There have been complaints against officials of several departments. The general body has been discussing these issues seriously and has recommended action against the erring officials. But action is yet to be initiated against the officials. If this is the state of affairs, then why and what for should we discuss the issue,'' the members said.

Shocking

The observation by the chair was more shocking. Mr. Umesh said the Government had been withdrawing the powers of the zilla panchayat gradually.

"The Government says that the power to transfer officials will be vested with the zilla panchayat. But today we are unable to depute the secretary of the gram panchayat, let alone initiate action against the erring ones,'' he said and expressed doubt over the Government initiating action against officials even when recommendations were backed by an inquiry report.

Water schemes

When the subject of energising drinking water schemes came up for discussion, the members complained that the officials were yet to take action in the matter.

They said despite being instructed in the previous meetings, several defunct trans- formers had not been replaced. They urged the Government to take action against the officials concerned.

Gonal Virupakshagowda, former Chairman of Health and Education Standing Committee, told the meeting that several lift irrigation schemes had not been commissioned, though the funds sanctioned had already been spent.

The ones commissioned had become defunct but action was yet to be taken against the officials concerned for their laxity. "The purpose for which the Government has spent funds has not been served," he said.

Panchayat powers

Gadiganur Halappa, D. Yerriswamy, Kogali Pompanna, Deviramma, Nagamma Gulagi Nagaraj sought to know whether the general body had powers to initiate action against erring officials or not.

Resolution

Manaiah, Chairman of the Health and Education Standing Committee, said the general body had powers to initiate action against the erring officials and a resolution could be adopted in this connection.

Venkatarao Ghorpade, former panchayat President, and G.S. Shivaswamy, Chief Executive Officer, spoke.

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