Kumta: Taluk Panchayat members have alleged that as no official has been appointed for implementation of Ujjwal Cooking Gas programme, some people are misusing the project distributing cooking gas to their kin.

Addressing the KDP progress review meeting, in Kumta, the members said, local MLA was not taken into confidence while identifying beneficiaries under the project.

A few were holding programmes with the support of private agencies and distributing cooking gas to their kin in blatant misuse of the Centre's scheme, they charged.

Cooking gas with labels ‘Modi Gas’ is being distributed and complaints have been filed with Food & Civil Supplies Department, they said.

Food inspector R C Gattumane said there is no government order or circular issued by the government to the department so far. Moreover, cooking gas distribution did not come under the department's ambit, he pointed out.

Some farmers complained that there is inordinate delay in getting title deeds. Often, revenue staff say there is technical error in computer and farmers made to wait for over 45 days to get title deeds.

Tahsildar Megharaj Naik said, 4,740 families in the taluk have been selected for Anila Bhagya scheme. There is no supply of paper to print title deeds. If any beneficiary needs title deeds urgently, they can get it from cyber cafes too.

Water Department officials said, Rs 90 crore fund for multi-village drinking water scheme has been sactioned, under which, water should be drawn from Aghanashini river. It is expected to get further funds in upcoming budget.

MLA Sharadha Shetty presided over the meeting.