Date:11/05/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/05/11/stories/2003051104480400.htm

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

TDP sarpanch attempts suicide

By Our Correspondent

VIZIANAGARAM MAY 10. Upset over the inadequate quantity of rice released for the works done under the Food-for-work programme, the TDP sarpanch of Venkupatruni Rega village in garividi mandal, Adapaka Appala Naidu (40), attempted suicide by consuming pesticide on Friday. He was admitted to the Cheepurupalli Government Hospital where he is recovering.

The sarpanch had completed four road works -- V.P.Rega to Regadi village, Ammavari temple to Rama mandir, to SC Colony and Vijayarampuram to electrical sub-station. The value of works done was put at 300 qunitals of rice. Accordingly, the completion of works was recorded in M-book and submitted a requisition for rice to the Mandal Development Officer, L. Jayaprada. After five months of submitting requisition, in April an order for release of 200 quintals of rice was issued online. But to his surprise only 28 quintals of rice was allotted to Mr. Appala Naidu.

According to a statement recorded by the Garividi Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police, G. Sankara Rao, in the presence of the Munisif Magistrate, M. Rajabhushanam, and the hospital doctor, Bharati, Mr. Appala Naidu said that he had completed all four works and sought rice from the mandal officials.

He had even borrowed Rs. 55,000 and greased palms of mandal-level engineers and officials, who promised early release of rice. In April 28 loads of rice was released for distribution under the first phase of the programme. But only 28 quintals of rice was allotted to him. When he raised the issue at the mandal parishad meeting on May 8, he was told that the mandal president, Pyla Balaram, had earmarked only 28 quintals.

Upset over the quota of rice released to him in spite of bribes paid to officials and also the pressure from labourers he took the extreme step. According to informed sources, influential elected representatives had cornered major portion of the allotted rice and released only 28 quintals to Mr. Appala Naidu.

Following reports of irregularities, the Collector had reportedly appointed an officer to unearth facts. The reported irregularities were found to be true in the officer's inquiry and the elected representatives were said to have been asked to prune their requisition.