Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Apr 2: Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti has demanded the suspension and transfer of Suresh Tunga, principal of girls PU college here. The Samiti claimed that the inquiry conducted by the deputy director in the department of PU education has proved that the principal had collected excess fee and donations, and failed to properly account for the same.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday April 1, Samiti leader, Ramesh Kotian, said that the Samiti, after receiving complaints from parents about collection of excess fee than prescribed from the students, had urged the department for conducting thorough inquiry. Both   deputy director of PU education and the Lokayukta had conducted investigation, he said. He noted that the inquiry has unearthed wrongs committed by the principal, and the principal has through a written statement, agreed to reimburse the excess amount. “In his report, the deputy director of PU education has expressed doubts about the genuineness of the reported theft of school receipt books,” Kotian said.

He blamed MLA Raghupati Bhat for siding with Suresh Tunga, and district in-charge, Acharya, for not doing anything in the matter. He also accused deputy director of PU Education department, S S Shinda, of having a hand in bailing out the principal. Kotian also claimed that primary and secondary education minister, Vishweshar Hegde Kageri, has been keeping the files of Lokayukta report pending in his office with the purpose of favouring the principal. He said complaint against the minister has already filed with the Lokayukta. He accused Suresh of collecting over three lac rupees from students when working as principal in Karkala, and misusing the funds so collected, for his own purposes. Keeping these things in mind, he demanded for the immediate suspension of Tunga.

Dalit Sangharsh Samiti leaders, Krishna Baje, Shubhakar Padubidri, and Bhaskar Malpe were present.