HC orders enquiry into alleged misappropriation

Mumbai, Aug 29 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today directed the Maharashtra government to conduct an enquiry into the alleged misappropriation in conducting cattle camps, which were set up during the 2003-04 drought in Solapur district of the state.

Acting on a public interest litigation filed by Appasaheb Patil, a Division Bench comprising Justice J N Patel and Justice Ahamed Sayyad also directed the collector of the district to submit his report within two months, after completing the enquiry.

Arguing on behalf of the petitioner, Advocate Machhindra Patil contended that in case of Sangola Tehsil of district Solapur, the number of cattles shown catered in the camps had exceeded total number of cattles in the Tehsil though all villages were not covered under the camps.

He alleged that crores of rupees from the state exchequer were siphoned off by co-operative socities which conducted the camps.

Assistant Government Pleader Pradip Patil stated that the district collector has already taken up enquiry into the allegations made by the petitioner and contended that the latter should have persued his representation, filed with the collector's office before directly coming to the court.

But considering seriousness of allegations and prima facie case being made out, the court directed the collector to enquire into conduct of all cattle camps in the district. The court has also directed the collector to reconcile figures given by the petitioner and those given by some of the societies, which had run the camps.

UNI