Shivamogga unit of KRS party decides to ‘felicitate’ Zilla Panchayat CEO

Shivamogga district unit of Karnataka Rashtra Samiti (KRS) party has resolved to felicitate Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Offcer (CEO) N. Hemanth, as a mark of protest, alleging that he failed to act on an official of Soraba taluk, facing charges of irregularities in his duties.

In a press conference here on Monday, the party’s district president Prabhu S. Kommanalu, and party worker Manjunath Hirechowti said that the party workers would take out a march from the office of the Deputy Commissioner to the CEO’s office and honour the CEO. “The date of the programme will be finalised soon. We are ready to face the consequences of our decision to felicitate the officer as a mark of protest,” said Mr. Kommanalu.

Mr. Hirechowti said that Gurunath, a computer operator of Huruli gram panchayat in Sorab taluk, was facing charges of irregularities in handling the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. The computer operator allegedly obtained a job card in his wife’s name and also got payment for 357 days between 2019 and 2023. Based on a complaint filed by a villager, the Ombudsman conducted the inquiry and submitted his report in January 2024, recommending the suspension of Gurunath.

Mr. Hirechowti said that there had been no action against the official, despite repeated reminders. “We have submitted a request and also met the CEO and urged him to take action against the erring official. It seems he must be under pressure from politicians not to take action against the official. Hence, to boost his confidence, we will felicitate him and register our protest,” he added.