The Hindu : Karnataka News : Anti-social elements visiting hostels, say ZP members

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Sunday, Aug 19, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Anti-social elements visiting hostels, say ZP members

Correspondent

Wardens told to lodge complaint with the police

‘Government interfering with affairs of panchayat’
Action sought against those behind fund misappropriation

CHIKMAGALUR: A complaint will be lodged with the Superintendent of Police alleging unauthorised entry of anti-social elements into hostels occupied by tribal students in Sringeri taluk, Belli Prakash, president of the Chikmagalur Zilla Panchayat, said here on Saturday.

Mr. Prakash was responding to complaints from members of the panchayat, that members of some organisations were visiting the hostels even at night, at its general body meeting. They wanted hostel wardens to lodge a complaint with the police.

Panchayat members expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in identifying the individual responsible for distributing tablets whose expiry date had lapsed. They did not accept explanations put forth by officials in this regard.

K. Sundar Naik, Chief Executive Officer of the panchayat, directed the Deputy Director of Public Instruction to reclaim the tablets from schools and have them replaced.

Action

The Panchayat decided to take action against the official in charge of the Integrated Tribal Development Programme, for flouting regulations with regard to getting students admitted to a nursing school in Bangalore.

Deputy Secretary of the Panchayat Vittal, who read out the inquiry report, said some of the students had complained that they had paid between Rs.2,000 and Rs.5,000 to some officials to procure a seat.

Panchayat member Ramaswamy pointed out that the school was not recognised and did not possess a library or a laboratory. There was no security system in place.

Irregularities

Mr. Naik promised that a statement listing irregularities would be prepared within a week and charges framed. The panchayat president said that block education officers had been directed to take action against those involved in misappropriation of funds under the Total Literacy Campaign.

Shanmuga Bovi, panchayat member said there were irregularities in the selection of beneficiaries under the National Horticulture Mission in Kadur taluk.

Mr. Prakash said action would be taken if a complaint identifying those involved in the irregularities was lodged.

Protest

Members belonging to the Congress party and the Communist Party of India staged a protest by tying a black cloth around their mouths and walked out of the meeting for ten minutes.

The protesters said the State Government was interfering in the affairs of the Panchayat and was trying to curb the power of its members.

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