SHIMOGA: Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said here on Tuesday that an inquiry would be ordered into the alleged misuse of funds in the settlement of contractors' bills even before they completed work assigned to them by the Malnad Area Development Board.

Addressing a meeting of the Board for the first time after the new government took office, he said that while the Government would not hesitate to enhance the allocation to the Board for development works, it would take action against officials and contractors who were found to have committed irregularities.

He suggested that the short-term tenders be called for piecework so that they could be completed within a stipulated time.

He said the members of the Board too had a responsibility to ensure the proper implementation of works by inspecting the works in progress along with the engineers concerned.

Mr. Yediyurappa asked the members to prepare a list of proposed works estimated at Rs.10 lakh in the first phase. He suggested that 60 per cent of the allocation be earmarked for roadworks and 20 per cent each for social welfare measures and minor irrigation projects.

He instructed the implementing officers not to make any payment for works completed till the additional allocation was made. The Rs. 40 crore allocated in the budget to the Board should be exclusively used for the implementation of new works and ongoing works recommended by legislators. "I am prepared to give more funds if the money allocated is utilised properly and quality of work is ensured," he said.

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