The former MLA Subhash Guttedar has said that there have been large-scale irregularities in development works sanctioned under various government departments in Aland taluk.

He said that crores of rupees have been misappropriated through poor execution of road works.

Addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi on Friday, Mr. Guttedar accused Aland MLA B.R. Patil, who is also the Vice-Chairperson of the State Policy and Planning Commission, and R.K. Patil, who is president of the Kalaburagi-Bidar-Yadgir Co-operative Milk Producers Societies Union, of misleading the public.

He said that both leaders are claiming that construction of several village connecting roads is being taken up through their organisation, Samata Loka Shikshana Samiti, using government funds and are presenting them as initiatives undertaken by their institution.

Mr. Guttedar, displaying photographs of such road works, said that the Chief Minister has sanctioned ₹8.66 crore for 12 works in Aland constituency through the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL).

The works include roads ranging from 1 km to 3.5 km in length. However, instead of constructing proper roads, only murum soil has been laid, Mr. Guttedar said.

“For works sanctioned with funds ranging from ₹80 lakh to ₹1.3 crore, only about ₹5 lakh to ₹6 lakh has been spent,” he said.

Referring to the Shirpur model project, he said that despite crores of rupees being sanctioned, no work has been taken up yet.

“Funds are being misused on the pretext of filling water in check-dams. But not a single tank has received even a drop of water so far,” he said.

Mr. Guttedar urged the authorities concerned to take suo motu cognisance of the matter and initiate action against the MLA B.R. Patil and Mr. R.K. Patil.