Raichur Zilla Panchayat clears contractor’s dues after court orders seizure of CEO’s car
Raichur: A court here on Thursday ordered seizing the government car of Raichur Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer over non-payment of outstanding dues related to the construction of class rooms that were carried out in 2009-10.
The construction works were undertaken by a local first-class contractor Channabasava after public property was damaged owing to natural disaster related incidents in Veerapur village of Sindhanur taluk.
Despite completion of the works carried at estimated cost of Rs 2.15 lakhs, the amount was left unpaid by the Zilla Panchayat.
The contractor reportedly approached officials and the Zilla Panchayat office several times. With all efforts going in vain, contractors approached the Sindhanur Senior Sessions Court. The court, which heard the case, ordered a total of Rs. 8.22 lakhs to be paid along with the outstanding amount along with interest.
On Thursday the court, noting that the Zilla Panchayat had failed to implement the previous order, ordered the seizure of the car belonging to ZP CEO.
Zilla Panchayat clears dues after court orders seizure
As the court staff and lawyers moved to seize the car, the Zilla Panchayat officials immediately handed over the cheque amounting to Rs 8.22 lakhs to the court, following which the court cancelled the seizure.
In the meantime, the contractors refused to accept the cheques and demanded a payment through Demand Draft (DD) or RTGS. The contractor and his legal representatives argued that issuing cheques could create problems. However, officials brought the situation to a calm by saying that the cheques were being submitted to the court temporarily in the wake of the bank employees' strike.
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Min. Priyank Kharge to expresses concern over implementation of VB-G Ram G
Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the proposed VB-G Ram G scheme, stating that the MNREGA programme, which has been a lifeline for rural India for nearly two decades, appears to be facing an uncertain future.
Speaking to media, Kharge said that as March 31 draws to a close, there is no clarity on the rollout of the new scheme from April 1. He pointed out that the central government has not yet issued the necessary guidelines for implementing the scheme for rural workers and villages.
He criticised the Centre for its lack of preparedness, stating that there is no clarity on fund allocation, no final parameters for classifying gram panchayats, and key processes such as social audits have not been defined.
Kharge said the situation comes at a critical time, as summer marks a peak period for rural employment demand, when many people depend heavily on wage employment for their livelihood.
He added that reports have emerged of delays in approvals and families not receiving work despite demand.
He further alleged that the Centre’s move to shift from a statutory employment guarantee to a rule-based allocation system is already showing negative consequences.
Kharge also raised concerns over provisions such as a mandatory 60-day halt during agricultural seasons, which he said would further limit employment opportunities for rural workers.
The BJP-led central government had claimed that the new scheme would transform rural India, but in reality it is turning out to be detrimental to people’s livelihoods, he said.
“The crisis in rural India due to the stalling of MNREGA is beginning to unfold. Given the Centre’s past record in handling such situations, there is growing concern over the impact on rural livelihoods,” Kharge said.
