Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jan 23: The fact that the government allowed grants released by rural development and panchayati raj department meant for undertaking emergent works in flood-hit areas even to people other than people's representatives and even BJP office bearers has come as a surprise for many.

Grants were distributed to BJP district president, Raita Morcha and Yuva Morcha presidents, APMC members, organizations and institutions, former ministers, former legislators etc. At the same time, they were instructed to consult the MLAs, MLCs and MPs concerned and submit action plan to the government at the earliest and to obtain their concurrence.

Floods in Karnataka in 2019 (file photo)

It is not known how and on what basis funds were released to people other than legislators. Was it done under pressure from local MLAs? It is now known whether senior party leaders had held consultation and passed instructions. For example, a sum of Rs 2.5 crore was released for the constitutions represented by K E Kantesh, son of K S Eshwarappa, who represents a zilla panchayat constituency. As per information, lacs of funds were released to many leaders. The fact that officials are tight-lipped in the matter, has added to the doubts.