Justice B. Veerappa detects lapses in Haveri during inspections, revokes licenses, seizes faulty weighing machines, and orders service improvements
Justice B Veerappa tasting the food at the hostel kitchen. (Image: DC)
Haveri: Karnataka Upa Lokayukta Justice B. Veerappa found several irregularities in Haveri district during a three-day inspection of 28 locations, including government offices, agricultural markets, and public facilities.
Several suo moto cases were registered, faulty weighing machines were seized, licenses were revoked, and officials were instructed to rectify lapses in essential services.
Justice Veerappa emphasized the need for strict action against corruption and inefficiency, warning that non-compliance would lead to strict action.
Addressing the media at the Zilla Panchayat hall on Friday, Justice Veerappa highlighted serious lapses in the Byadgi chilli market, one of Asia’s largest. He noted issues with infrastructure and weight manipulation, leading to fraudulent practices. A suo moto case was registered, and seven licenses were revoked.
“During my visit to the Agricultural Produce Market in Haveri, I noticed that the weighing machines used for measuring vegetables and crops brought by farmers were faulty. To verify this, I personally checked my weight on these machines and found discrepancies of 4 to 5 kilograms in each. As a result, such faulty weighing machines were seized. Additionally, strict warnings have been issued to prevent unauthorized commission charges from farmers,” he said.
In the APMC and cattle market areas, where large crowds gather daily, drinking water and sanitation facilities were found to be inadequate.
“I have given the concerned officials a one-month deadline to establish these facilities. If they fail to do so, appropriate action will be taken against them,” he warned.
The sub-registrar office was found to be lacking proper cash transaction records. Officials were instructed to maintain detailed cash registers and implement biometric.
During a visit to the Regional Transport Office, the Upa Lokayukta found that several vehicles, whose Fitness Certificates (FC) had expired in 1997 and lacked valid insurance, had not been seized. Following this, the regional authorities were instructed to take action, resulting in the confiscation of nine such vehicles. A fine of Rs 64,000 was also collected.
On Friday the Upa Lokayukta visited the district prison, inspecting the barracks, the kitchen, the library, bathing areas, the de-addiction center, toilets, and newly constructed cells. He interacted with prisoners, advising them to maintain cleanliness, practice yoga and meditation daily for their well-being, and use the prison as an opportunity for personal transformation.
He also visited the 10-acre prison farmland, where four acres are cultivated with maize, vegetables, and cotton, appreciating the agricultural efforts. He instructed officials to construct a boundary wall for enhanced security.
The Upa Lokayukta visited the kitchen of the Youth Empowerment and Sports Department's Residential Hostel, where he personally tasted the dosa prepared for the children and the sprouts given to them daily.
He later interacted with the hostel students, emphasizing the importance of physical and mental strength through sports training. He instructed officials to ensure high-quality food for the children.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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