“Inquiry Report Recommends Action Against 3 Former Belagavi City Commissioners”
“Negligence Exposed: Former Commissioners Face Heat Over Civic Workers’ Breakfast Scheme”
Belagavi: Negligence has been observed in the implementation of the breakfast scheme meant for civic workers in the state’s municipal corporations. Despite clear directives from the Urban Development Department, around 1,318 civic workers of the Belagavi City Corporation were deprived of this entitlement for over two years.
Taking this matter seriously, the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) has recommended disciplinary action against three former commissioners of the Belagavi City Corporation.
How Did the Violation Come to Light?
The issue came to light following a petition filed by advocate Surendra Ugare. Based on the directive of SP Ravindra Gadadi of the DCRE, Belagavi North Zone, PSI S.L. Deshnur conducted an investigation. The report prepared by Deshnur revealed the violation.
Officials Facing Allegations:
Rudresh Ghali – Former Commissioner (currently Commissioner, Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation)
Ashok Dudagunti – Former Official (currently with Yellamma Devi Development Authority)
P.N. Lokesh – Former Official (currently Additional Deputy Commissioner, Davanagere)
The report states that during their respective tenures, breakfast was not provided to the civic workers at any time. This is not just a violation of government orders but also a denial of rights to workers belonging predominantly to Scheduled Castes and Tribes, the report emphasized.
Current Commissioner Responds:
The current Belagavi City Corporation Commissioner, Shubha B, has submitted a detailed response to the notice along with documents. She clarified that after assuming charge, she resumed the breakfast scheme from January 2025. Additionally, she stated that she has sought government approval to pay the pending breakfast allowance (since 2022) in cash. Her letter also mentioned that the current grant is being used to fulfill this requirement.
Scheme Background:
The government had issued an order in 2000 to provide a daily breakfast allowance of ₹20.
In 2022, this was increased to ₹30, with the inclusion of eggs for a nutritious meal. However, cash payments were strictly prohibited.
In this case, 82% of the civic workers affected belong to Scheduled Castes and Tribes. Denying them their rightful benefits is a violation of constitutional values.
Recommendations:
The Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement has submitted a separate report to the Under Secretary of the Urban Development Department, recommending that disciplinary action be initiated against the three former commissioners.
