Karnataka: State largesse? No action against 3 tainted' officers

The state Cabinet on Monday decided to set aside the Upa Lokayukta recommendation and drop action against three KAS officers.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mr T.B. Jayachandra and DPAR Secretary Mr Anil Jha admitted that the Upa Lokayukta recommendation was not part of the Cabinet note, but said that the decision was taken based on the Revenue Department recommendation.
Three KAS officers- Smt Anithalakshmi, Mr B.A. Jagadish and Mr M Thippeswamy were let off the hook with regard to alleged misappropriation of funds while disbursing input subsidy, that was released by the Centre for crop failure.

As per the complaint, the department had prepared 337 cheques involving Rs 3.37 lakh. While 227 cheques were disbursed, there were no documents for disbursing 46 cheques. Besides, there were no names of beneficiaries. 

The incidents had taken place in Mandya taluk, Pavagada taluk, Belur taluk and Chitradurga taluk respectively, while the three officers were working as Assistant Commissioners, Mr Jayachandra said. When asked what the Upa Lokayukta recommendation was, Mr Jayachandra pleaded innocence and summoned DPAR Secretary  Anil Kumar Jha. He was ignorant about it and said the Departmental Inquiry had absolved them.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet approved implementation of Paschima Vahini and released Rs 200 crore for the purpose. The project involves construction of a series of check dams on rivers in Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and  Udupi districts.