Embezzlement of rs two crore rain damage funds unearthed
Chikkamagaluru: In a shocking revelation, malpractices in the distribution of compensation funds for crop loss due to heavy rains during the 2022-23 monsoon season have come to light in Kalkere and Antarghatte of Kadur taluk in Chikkamagaluru district.
The village administrator, MS Palakshamurthy, and other staff members stand accused of misappropriating over 2 crores by allocating compensation to individuals who neither cultivate agricultural land nor qualify as farmers, including those who have already passed away.
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The government, in response to the rain relief losses, had outlined specific compensation rates for both agricultural and horticultural crops. However, investigations expose a calculated scheme where officials and intermediaries manipulated the system to siphon funds.
The scam involved falsely categorizing millet cultivation as horticulture to exploit higher compensation rates. To exacerbate matters, multiple individuals with the same name in the same locality had funds transferred to their accounts. Shockingly, compensation was even directed to deceased individuals, reaching people with similar names after a two-decade gap. In instances where the intended recipients were absent in the town, Aadhaar numbers from different locations were used to divert funds.
The malfeasance was brought to light through an inquiry initiated by the Tarikere Sub Divisional magistrate and Joint Director of the Agriculture Department. Of the 948 cases under scrutiny, it was found that in 651 cases, compensation had been erroneously disbursed, while in 157 cases, the rightful recipients had received the funds. The remaining 140 cases are still under investigation.
In response to these egregious findings, village accountant MS Palakshamurthy has been suspended, and a criminal case has been filed against him. A senior district administration official announced that further investigations are underway, involving five individuals from the Revenue Department and ten from the Agriculture Department.
Further scrutiny is required regarding 38 approved files from the login of J Umesh, the former Kadur Tehsildar, responsible for crop compensation. Authorities are actively examining the fairness of these approvals, and additional time is anticipated for gathering details of Pauthi account holders in the relief list and farmers without Aadhaar information. The district is now grappling with the repercussions of this intricate web of deceit, as efforts to rectify the mismanagement unfold.
