ELURU:District Collector K Bhaskar has suspended former MPDO of Eluru and now project director of MEPMA, West Godavari, on the charge of misappropriation of funds to the tune of `19.65 lakh.
MEPMA project director N Prakasa Rao, who was then MPDO, had paid bills for the construction of toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission in Venkatapuram panchayat in Eluru rural mandal. The New Indian Express exposed the misuse of funds in the construction of toilets and also unmasked the corrupt officials, who showed already constructed toilets as new ones and billed those under the Swachh Bharat Mission. The Collector reacting to the news item published in The New Indian Express dated August 20, 2017, suspended AE and five secretaries on September 4.
The Collector has now issued orders suspending the MEPMA project director for misusing the funds allotted for construction of toilets at Venkatapuram panchayat in Eluru rural mandal when he was an MPDO of Eluru. The Collector while suspending the MEPMA project director said that the latter should not leave the district until the case is disposed of and without his prior permission.
HC door knocked for justice
The High Court in the Writ Petition no. 171/2017 filed by Matrapu Lokeswara Rao of Venkatapuram panchayat questioned District Collector K Bhaskar for not initiating action against the errant official. The High Court also questioned the Panchayat Raj Commissioner why the department did not take action against the officer, who misappropriated funds. The HC Bench consisting of Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice M Gangarao questioned how the department gave promotion to the corrupt official.