Probe alleges bungling in BDPO office
A two-member fact-finding committee appointed by the Director of Rural Development and Panchayats Department has completed its probe into alleged financial irregularities at the Block Development Panchayat Office in Ferozepur.
The findings have raised concerns over accountability, revealing the evidence of mismanagement and possible corruption in the execution of several development projects.
The report highlights alleged irregularities in the purchase of around 200 gym machines worth Rs 50 lakh during the tenure of a particular Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO).
The gym equipment was intended to be installed in various villages. However, the investigation revealed that only 188 machines were installed, of which 168 were installed on government land.
According to the inquiry report, Rs 75 lakh had been approved for the project. However, only Rs 50 lakh could be accounted for and the remaining Rs 25 lakh was spent on “unspecified works”.
The officials involved were unable to produce any record or bills detailing the expenditure of Rs 25 lakh or name the villages where the money had been spent.
The report also reveals that the Ferozepur block had been allocated Rs 10 lakh for purchase of new sewing machines for distribution among underprivileged people.
The panchayat office bought 245 machines at a cost of Rs 9,99,639. However, 85 beneficiaries later claimed they had not received the sewing machines.
The probe team found the houses of 21 beneficiaries locked, thereby preventing verification.
Additionally, some machines were distributed among individuals outside the block and there was mismatch in beneficiary’s Aadhaar number in one case.
The investigation revealed that BDPO Vinod Kumar Joshi had failed to maintain a proper record relating to the distribution of the machines. Moreover, he did not seek approval from the Panchayat Samiti for it.
In another instance, the BDPO officials had claimed to have installed 16 road signage poles, but only 13 were found in place during a check.
RTI activist Jaspal Singh expressed hope that the department would take stern action against the officials responsible for the embezzlement of funds as the probe uncovered significant irregularities and financial misconduct.
