Now, it’s computer scam in Udupi TP

From our Udupi office
UDUPI : A major computer scam has been reported from the Udupi taluk panchayat. More skeletons are now likely to roll down the taluk panchayat cupboards with reports saying that several members have pocketed substantial amount in the process.
As per the scheme, the computers are to be distributed to various gram panchayats with the help of funds sanctioned from the 12th finance commission. Already computers have been distributed to 33 gram panchayats out of the selected 180 gram panchayats. What is surprising is that the the entire process has been undertaken without any invitation of tenders and the task assigned to a private party.
What has been gathered is that though the computers were priced at Rs 35,000 to Rs 45,000, official records mentioned the prices as high as Rs 74000, naturally giving way for irregularities.
As per official estimate, a sum of Rs 1.35 crore was needed to distribute computers to the 180 gram panchayats in the district. But, investigations now prove that such a huge amount was unnecessary and that this was just a ploy of some members to pocket the excess of nearly Rs 61 lakh.
On the other hand, the Karkala taluk panchayat has cancelled this project for the reason that the computer cost was high while the scheme has met with the same fate in Kundapur too.
Now, the complaint is that the Udupi taluk panchayat administration was implementing this project merely with an intention of misusing funds.
Even the BJP, the main opposition party in the panchayat has remained mum on the issue giving roon for suspicion as to whether the BJP members too had colluded in this irregularity.
There is a need for a thorough probe to bring out the facts in this case.