Sat May 03 14:27:08 UTC 2025: **Kalaburagi PDOs Accused of ₹10.35 Crore Embezzlement**
KALABURAGI, KARNATAKA – May 3, 2025 – The Dalit Sene has filed a complaint with the Karnataka Lokayukta alleging large-scale embezzlement of funds by Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) in Kalaburagi district. The Sene alleges that approximately ₹10.35 crore in funds were misappropriated across ten gram panchayats.
Hanumant Yelasanghi, state president of the Dalit Sene, stated that the PDOs purchased equipment without following proper tender procedures. The accused PDOs allegedly swindled amounts ranging from ₹82 lakh to ₹1.45 crore each. Mr. Yelasanghi also criticized the Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer for inaction and held Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge accountable for the alleged corruption within his department.
Furthermore, Mr. Yelasanghi expressed disappointment with Kalaburagi district’s poor SSLC (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) examination results, despite the investment of ₹652 crore under the ‘Akshara Avishkara’ programme. He attributed the poor performance to inadequate school infrastructure, despite significant funding from the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board.
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