Widespread corruption in Bage: Demand for suspension of PDO

Hassan: Bage Gram Panchayat member Charles demanded that an investigation should be conducted regarding the misappropriation of money in the 14th-15th financial plan, and revenue collections and the Panchayat Development Officer should be suspended.
Speaking at a press conference, he said that more than 50 lakhs of money has been misused in the 14th and 15th financial plans in Baghe village panchayat of the taluk. The PDO complained that the compensation money coming from the National Highway Authority was stolen by creating fake documents.
He alleged that the 9 lakh rupees earmarked under the escrow scheme were only allowed to be used for electricity supply and this money was misused by transferring money to a shop called Ranganath Electrical in Hassan.
He said that a complaint has already been filed against the Gram Panchayat Development Officer to the Chief Executive Officer of the District Panchayat in this regard, as many irregularities have been done in the Gram Panchayat.
He said that for the last three years, the Gram Panchayat has not been audited, the officials have mentioned their omissions in the book and the auditors themselves have given a report about the corruption in the Gram Panchayat.
Charles warned that if Zilla Panchayat officials also fail to take appropriate action against PDO Chinnaswamy, Secretary Monappa and complete investigation of the malpractices in Gram Panchayat and provide justice, he will file a Public Interest Litigation in the State High Court and protest.