Taking a tough line against dereliction of duty and poor revenue performance, the Raichur Zilla Panchayat has suspended two Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) and initiated departmental inquiries to dismiss three tax collectors across Devadurga and Manvi taluk village panchayats.
The order was issued by Ishwar Khandoo, Chief Executive Officer of the Raichur Zilla Panchayat, following repeated failures by the officials to meet tax collection targets despite multiple notices and warnings.
Mateenuddin, in-charge PDO of the Shavantagera Gram Panchayat in Devadurga taluk, and Prabhukumar, PDO of the Sadapur Gram Panchayat in Manvi taluk, were the suspended.
The zilla panchayat revoked the staff approvals for three tax collectors- Rajashekar of the Shavantagera Gram Panchayat, and Hemanna and Hanumantharaya of the Sadapur Gram Panchayat. The CEO directed the respective gram panchayats to initiate disciplinary proceedings and departmental inquiries aimed at terminating their services.
Official figures highlighted a stark shortfall in revenue realisation in both panchayats as follows: Against a total tax demand of ₹31,89,780.68, officials managed to collect only ₹55,246.67 in the Sadapur Gram Panchayat, while out of a total demand of ₹28,78,086.78, the recovery stood at a mere ₹1,56,328 in the Shavantagera Gram Panchayat respectively.
These two panchayats recorded the lowest tax collection rates in the entire district. According to the order, the officials showed continuous negligence, failed to execute orders issued by higher authorities, and made little progress despite repeated instructions.
The suspension of the two PDOs was executed under Rule 3 of the Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2021. Meanwhile, the action against the three tax collectors—including the revocation of approval and departmental inquiry for dismissal—was initiated under Rule 8 of the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Gram Panchayat Staff Pattern, Pay Scales, Recruitment Method and Other Service Conditions) Rules, 2020.
