BANGALORE: The Union Government has sanctioned Rs. 1,220 crore to the State under the Bharat Nirman programme to build 6,100 km of rural roads in the next two years (2007-09).

Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj C.M. Udasi told presspersons here on Monday that the department had decided to entrust a government agency with the task.

The Centre's permission had been sought to allow the department to execute roadworks through one of the three agencies: the National Building Construction Corporation, Engineering Project India Ltd. or the Karnataka Land Army, he said.

On amendments to the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act, Mr. Udasi said rules had been framed to prevent malpractice and misuse of funds sanctioned to local bodies. Grants to panchayat bodies had been increased from Rs. 4,200 crore in 2006-07 to Rs. 5,100 crore in 2007-08. Fifty-one per cent of the funds had been allocated to gram panchayats, 29 per cent to taluk panchayats and 20 per cent to zilla panchayats, he said.

Suspended

The department had suspended from service P. Bilikenchappa, executive officer, Nelamangala Taluk Panchayat, on the charge of misappropriation of funds released under the 12th Finance Commission for the purchase of computers. An inquiry had been ordered against the officer, he said.

A three-member committee, which inquired into the misappropriation, had found that Dr. Bilikenchappa had ordered a private firm in Rajajinagar to supply computers at a cost of Rs. 79,500 each to seven gram panchayats coming under the Nelamangala Taluk Panchayat. The Minister said the official had violated rules and misappropriated the funds.

New service rules

Mr. Udasi said the shortage of staff had affected the implementation of development schemes. As many as 176 executive officers were on deputation to the department. A decision had been taken to frame new service rules for recruitment of staff exclusively for the department, he said.

On the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Mr. Udasi said the programme was being implemented in 11 districts from this financial year. There was good response to the scheme in Davangere and Chitradurga districts, he said.

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