Lokayukta unearthed misappropriation of Rs 5.72 crore

Bangalore, July 30 (UNI) The Karnataka Lokayukta has unearthed misappropriation of Rs 5.72 crore in purchase of machineries to be supplied to various Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) in the State, Legislative Council was informed today.

Replying to a question raised by Mr V R Sudarshan (Cong) during question hour, Minister for Labour and Minorities Welfare Iqbal Ansari informed the House that the Lokayukta officials while confirming misuse of Rs 5.72 crore also informed that nobody could be held responsible as it due to 'System Failure'.

Not satisfied with the reply, Mr Sudarshan demanded constitution of a House Committee to unearth the truth as the quantum of amount misused was huge.

Opposition Leader H K Patil also charged that the officials who were responsible for misuse of funds seems to have taken shelter under 'System Failure' as remarked by the Lokayukta and urged to take suitable measures to find out the guilty.

The Minister assured the house that he would order for Department inquiry into the misuse of funds and take steps to punish the guilty.

Mr Ansari said that the state government had released Rs 12.90 crores for 2006-07 to purchase machineries to be supplied to various ITI's in the state.

UNI