Corruption In Panchayat; Poor Deprived Of Scheme Benefits

Chhatarpur (Madhya Pradesh): The poor have been deprived of the benefits of government welfare schemes. According to official sources, it has happened because of corruption prevailing in Mahayaba Panchayat at Gaurihar Janpad.

Some villagers wrote to the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Panchayat, collector and commissioner of Sagar.

But the officers have yet to act to stop corruption. The daughter-in-law of a member of the Panchayat has committed irregularities. She is the secretary to the Panchayat.

In the letter, the villagers alleged that the Panchayat had transferred Rs 40 lakh to the accounts of a salesman of the cooperative bank. The Panchayat had to spend this amount on the construction of an Anganwadi building, repairing a well and maintaining cleanliness.

The Panchayat paid Rs 40.27 lakh from the financial year 2023 to 2025 to the account of cooperative bank salesman’s account. But the salesman did not do any work. Transferring such a huge amount to the salesman’s account indicates there was something fishy.

But the officers did not act against those who committed the irregularity. The commissioner dashed off a letter to the collector on April 17 this year, asking the collector to probe the case and take action against the guilty.

The commissioner wrote that the secretary to the Panchayat and the salesman had misused Rs 60 lakh. The commissioner also sought a report about the action taken by the collector. Nearly ten days have passed since the commissioner wrote the letter. But there was no action.

Commissioner of Sagar division Virendra Singh Rawat said he had been acquainted with the case. Rawat said he would speak to the collector and take feedback on the reasons for the delay in action. He said he would speak to the collector.

With inputs from Laxmi Narayan Sharma