Ombudsman for Panchayats in Karnataka to be appointed

Bangalore, July 17(UNI) Karnataka has decided to appoint Ombudsman to deal with disputes pertaining to the functioning of the Panchayat institutions in the state, Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Mr C M Udasi, informed to the Legislative Council here today.

Replying to V S Ugrappa (Congress), during question hour he said the government had sought the opinion of the Karnataka Lokayukta and the Law department on the appointment of the Ombudsman and process to this effect has already been initiated.

The Minister said as many 388 cases of misappropriation of funds and misuse of power in 18 Panchayats have come to the notice and another 171 incidents of such nature were also brought to the notice of the State Government. As many as Rs 18.95 crores of misappropriation of funds have been unearthed in the preliminary investigations while government has disqualified membership of those who found guilty into the cash embezzlement.

He also informed to the house that the state government has released Rs 282.65 crores of statutory grants for 2006-07 while another Rs 131 crores under Employment Assurance programme for Bidar, Gulbarga, Raichur, Davanagere and Chitradurga districts. In over 1091 villages have been covered under the Central sponsored employment Assurance scheme, he said.

UNI