KALABURAGI: The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kalaburagi Zilla Panchayat, Hepshiba Rani Korlapati has landed in a tight spot after the Zilla Panchayat passed a resolution at its meeting stating that they “no longer required her services.” What is interesting is that this is the third time the ZP has passed such a resolution against the CEO.
It may be mentioned here that the members have already met the Minister for Social Welfare Priyank Kharge to apprise him about the ‘conduct’ of the officer and had sought her transfer from the post. The general body meeting held on Monday ended abruptly as the members did not want to discuss any issues on the agenda after passing the resolution seeking the transfer of of the CEO Alleging that the CEO was not cooperating with elected representatives and was shielding corrupt officers, the members cutting across party lines contended that this had resulted in stagnancy in developmental work and non-utilisation of funds allotted to the body.
A ZP member, Sidram Pyati wanted to know why the CEO went on a foreign trip on July 7 without making alternative arrangements in her absence. “The CEO herself had issued a notice for the general body meeting on July 7. But without informing the president and without making arrangements, she went abroad. She could have postponed the meeting, but she did not do it”, he stated. The members alleged that the officer was not available when they called her to draw her attention to the problems of their constituency. “When we go to her chamber, she threatens to file a criminal complaints. Do we need such an officer?”, they wondered.
But Ms Koralpati rebutted the charges levelled against her. “Despite facing a severe staff crunch, we have made impressive progress in development activities. During the financial year 2017-18, the ZP achieved 92 % financial progress, which is far better when compared to the previous years. The body has ensured maximum utilisation of the funds released by the Hyderabad Karnataka Region Development Board. As against utilisation of Rs 45 crore grants during 2016-17, during 2017-18, it has utilised Rs 75 crore. We are at number one in utilising funds in the region", she stated.
Regarding her foreign tour, the CEO said that she had gone on an official visit with permission from the government. “How can I be disrespectful towards members? I'm showing due to respect to them and discharging my duties as per law. As an individual, I have nothing personal against them and as an officer, I’m doing what has been permitted by the law.” The next meeting of the ZP is scheduled for August 10.
