Deepam: Civic officials accused of corruption

Karimnagar: Officials of Karimnagar municipal corporation drew flak for allegedly demanding money for handing over proceeding orders to beneficiaries of Deepam scheme. Of the 5,158 connections sanctioned to the corporation, proceeding orders have been issued to 3,118  beneficiaries only so far in the city.

TRS city president S. Ravinder Singh alleged that the officials were demanding Rs 300-500 from the beneficiaries to give away the proceeding orders to the  beneficiaries.

“The connections should be given free of cost. But the beneficiaries are forced to offer money,” he said and demanded the officials to disclose the number of applications received seeking proceeding orders.

Under the scheme, 1,33,602 connections were given to the district, while proceedings were issued to 57,730 connections from 2009-10 to 2013-14. The connections were given after strict selection and verification of the beneficiaries by concerned tahsildars in rural areas and officials appointed by IKP and DRDA, which works closely with authorities of municipalities and corporations.

The concerned officials at corporations and municipalities are also responsible for issuing proceeding orders to the right beneficiaries. But, it was alleged that these officials were resorting to corruption, while issuing the proceeding orders to the beneficiaries.

When contacted, Corporation commissioner K. Ramesh said that no complaint had been brought to his notice by the beneficiaries. At the same time, Project Resource Person (PRP) Satya claimed that the selection and verification process was shifted to the authorities of the corporation.

Even after getting the proceeding order, managements of gas agencies are also demanding some amount from the beneficiaries for giving a connection. Besides, delivery boys are also collecting Rs 100-200 from the poor, who are  availing scheme.