Ankola Municipality Chief Officer and Junior Engineer Suspended for Misuse of Power
Officials accused of financial irregularities and bypassing council approval in fund usage.
Ankola (Fikrokhabar News): The Directorate of Municipal Administration has suspended the Chief Officer and Junior Engineer of the Ankola Town Municipality following serious allegations of misuse of official power and financial irregularities.
The suspended officials are Chief Officer H. Akshata and Junior Engineer Shailaja S. Naik, who were accused of spending municipal funds without obtaining prior approval from the municipal council. The complaint was formally lodged by Municipal President Suraj Naik, along with 19 council members, who raised the issue with the Deputy Commissioner and the Planning Officer.
Acting on the complaint, Deputy Commissioner Lakshmipriya ordered a detailed inquiry. A report was later submitted by the Planning Officer, which confirmed administrative lapses. Both officials were served show-cause notices, but their explanations were deemed unsatisfactory.
Following this, Prabhuling Kavalikatti, Director of the Directorate of Municipal Administration and Disciplinary Authority, issued the suspension orders on Monday based on findings from the preliminary investigation.
The action has been taken under Rule 9(2)(c) and Rule 10 of the Karnataka Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1957. The details of the suspension are as follows:
- H. Akshata, Chief Officer of Ankola Municipality, has been placed under suspension pending departmental inquiry. Her administrative lien has been shifted to the vacant post of Chief Officer, Grade-II, at Kolar Town Panchayat, Vijayapura District.
- Shailaja S. Naik, Junior Engineer, has also been suspended for dereliction of duty. Her lien has been transferred to the Junior Engineer post at Gajendragad Municipality, Gadag District.
Disciplinary proceedings against both officials will continue as per established administrative protocols.
