Karnataka Lokayukta asks where is the development in Yadgir district, seeks explanation on use of government funds

Karnataka Lokayukta Justice B.S. Patil expressed anguish over mismanagement by government officials in ensuring basic needs and cleanliness in Yadgir district.

Mr. Patil expressed anguish over mismanagement by government officials, particularly by the Social Welfare and Health Department, in extending benefits, facilities, and services to the general public and students.

Chairing a district-level officers’ meeting in the auditorium in the district administrative building in Yadgir on January 6, he warned that cases would be filed against the officers concerned and also of initiating further legal action.

Mr. Patil visited various government departments housed in the district administrative building, hostels, and other places. He expressed shock after seeing the mismanagement and negligence in providing service and facilities to the general public and students.

Among other things, the Lokayukta cited gross negligence by the local authorities in lifting garbage every day and transporting waste to the places identified to dump it scientifically.

“While 20 tonnes of waste is generated every day, the authorities are capable of disposing of only 12 tonnes. Who will be responsible for the rest of the uncleared waste and the possibility of epidemics? If you are regularly lifting garbage, why are plastic bottles and bags seen in various parts of the city?”

He further said that almost all rooms in hostels for students being handled by Backward Classes Welfare, Minorities Welfare, and other departments are overcrowded. “Most of the hostels are functioning in a pathetic condition, with no proper drinking water or toilets, and lacking nutritious food. How can one expect students to reside in these hostels in such conditions?”

He said that patients in government-run hospitals, especially the mother and child hospital in Yadgir city, are suffering from a lack of cleanliness. “There is no proper system to change beds regularly and no supply of quality food,” he said.

“The bus terminals lack proper seating and toilets are not clean. There are complaints about staff demanding money from passengers for using toilets. The officers of KKRTC should focus on solving these problems immediately,” he said.

“I have gone through the inspection report submitted by the Lokayukta Judges team, headed by Ramakanth Chavan, which had inspected departments and also hostels. I am shocked to see the report. Where is development in this district? Where has government money gone? I will ask my office to register a case against irresponsible officers and issue notices to them seeking clarification within a month,” Mr. Patil said.

The Lokayukta directed officials to take action to improve the supply of potable drinking water, prevent illegal mining, construct toilets under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and initiate other pro-people and awareness drives, and dissuade people, especially youths, from picking up bad habits.

Lok Ayukta Judges Ramakanth Chavan and Siddaraju, Deputy Commissioner Harshal Bhoyar, Chief Executive Officer Lavish Ordia, Superintendent of Police Pruthvik Shankar, Additional Deputy Commissioner Ramesh Kolar, and others were present at the meeting.