Daijiworld Media Network - Mysuru (SP)

Mysuru, Sep 4: JD(S) MLA Sa Ra Mahesh, who is at loggerheads with former deputy commissioner of Mysuru district, Rohini Sindhuri, alleged that during her tenure, Rohini had collected large amounts of bribe in the purchase of cloth bags. He was addressing a press conference here on Friday September 3.

After plastic was banned in both the city and the district, as per plan, cloth bags were to be distributed to people free of cost. Contract for the supply of 14,71,458 bags had been given to the husband of a lady officer. Per bag, Rs 52 was fixed whereas similar bags are available for eight to 12 rupees in the market. Rohini therefore had collected kickback of Rs 6.18 crore," he stated.

Mahesh said he will file complaint about this kickback to the chief minister and chief secretary. "I will give them three to four days’ time. If no steps are taken, I will undertake fast unto death in front of the chief secretary's office," he warned. He said that the processes were completed without obtaining approval in the corporation council meeting. Now, the corporation council meeting has withheld the cloth bags bill. The contractor who supplied bags before the bill was passed is saying he is facing the prospect of committing suicide. Sindhuri used public money for her luxurious lifestyle," Mahesh stated.

Reacting to the allegation, Rohini Sindhuri dismissed all the claims. She said that as per KTPP Act, the work order for cloth bags was given to Karnataka Handloom Corporation. "When I was the deputy commissioner, no amount was paid to anyone. So far, only Rs 9.39 lac has been paid to the corporation by Nanjangud municipality," she stated in a release.