Pics: Savitha B R
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/SB)

Mangalore, May 7: JD(S) general secretary M G Hegde alleged that the officers of Karnataka Fisheries Development Board have engaged in calling illegal tenders.

Hegde said that a complaint will be given to the Lokayukta on Wednesday May 11 on the irregularities of the board, he informed and demanded for the suspension of the managing director of the board. In case he is not suspended, the JDS members will hold ‘Dharna’ in front of the head office of the board, he said.

Addressing the presspersons on Saturday May 7, he said that the officers have officers have tortured the employees and engaged in corruption. The equipments procured were at high price, and works were of sub-standard quality. Same companies were given tender constantly, he flayed.

Further Hegde alleged that the managing director of the board among other officers have been doing nepotism by going for the contractors of their choice. There has not been any meeting of officers since two years, he said. He also condemned the apathy of the authorities noting the plight of ice plants at Honnavar and Bhatkal.

By rejecting the remaining companies, false named companies are given tenders. Case of ‘boiler explosion’ caused by inferior quality work is not yet interrogated. Though the minister Krishna J Palemar has ordered to disburse the pending dearness allowance from 1999 to 2006, the board has not taken any measure, Hegde alleged.

JDS leaders Yogish Jeppu, M Kasim, Shashiraj Shetty were present.