Multi-crore scam disclosed in Panchayat Samiti Kharar : Anuraag verma
Decision taken for suspension of two BDPOs accused in scam, Scam came in to light during audit of Panchayat Samiti
5 Dariya News
Kharar (SAS Nagar) 25-Feb-2018
Finance Commissioner Rural Development & Panchayat informed that a multi-crore scamhas been found under Panchayat Samiti Kharar and in this context, it is decided to suspend two BDPOs namely Jatinder Singh Dhillon & Malvinder Singh.He said that a special audit of Panchayat Samiti was conducted after receiving a complaint about the fraud. Audit report disclosed that an amount of Rs. 22 lacs were transferred on 5.2.2016 to Gram Panchayat Majatri from BDPO Kharar, whereas the concerned Panchayat has never demanded for such grant and no estimate was prepared for demand for this grant moreover; no resolution for works was passed by gram Panchayat. Subsequent to this, on dt. 6.6.2016 the amount was transferred to Kaura Cement Store, Sanour. No work was carried out in the village even after passing of tenure of 1.5 years, hence the fraud of said amount was carried out. Similarly an amount of Rs. 25 lacs was issued to village Majat and Rs. 12 lacs were issued to village Todar Majra, which was immediately got transferred to kaura Cement Store, Sanour which is still not used against any development works in the concerned village.Sh. Verma said that during the time period of 5.12.16 to 23.03.17, an amount of Rs. 60 lacs were transferred for the 7 villages namely Bathlana, Cholta Khurd, Kurdi, Siao, Gudana, Kurdi & village Malakpur. For this amount the resolution was neither passed by the concerned Panchayat nor by the Samiti. The main fact in this is that although the said amount was issued to 7 Gram Panchayats as per records but as per the Cash Book entry, the amount was issued to Gram Panchayats c/o Mukhvinder Singh and the amount was released by BDPO to contractor Mukhvinder Singh.
Tender for work was never invited/ allotted to any firm before releasing the amount. Now, after inquiry it was found that the said contractor has not carried out any development work in any of the village even after the lapse of 8-9 months.Sh. Verma said that it was also found in inquiry that besides the above mentioned 60 lacs, another amount of Rs. 91 lacs were also transferred by BDPO to Mukhvinder Singh contractor, for which no appropriate record is found under Samiti. Panchayat Samiti Kharar has shown booked the amount of Rs. 30 lacs for development works of Gram Panchayat Balongi colony, whereas the said work was already carried out under the grants of Gram Panchayat Balongi colony. Hence, Bogus expenditure was booked by Panchayat Samiti. As such, out of total amount of Rs. 1.51 crore, amount of Rs. 1.23 crore was booked under bogus expenditure.Sh. Verma said that after the initiation of inquiry of thee scam, amount of Rs. 36.5 lacs was deposited in the accounts of Panchayat Samiti Kharar by contractor Mukhvinder Singh. Sh. Verma said that, taking a serious note on the matter, after the approval of Rural Development & Panchayat Minister Sh. Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, the DDPO Mohali was directed to lodge FIR of the scam, so that appropriate action against the accused could be initiated immediately. Sh. Verma said that taking a concrete step in the matter, it was decided to take strict action under major Punishment against two accused BDPOs namely Jatinder Singh Dhillon & Malvinder Singh and it was decided to suspend the said officers.