Panchayat head suspended for irregularities

Our Correspondent

NURPUR, DECEMBER 16

The Kangra District Panchayat Officer (DPO) Rajinder Dhiman yesterday ordered the suspension of the pradhan of Kundsa gram panchayat of Indora development block in this sub-division. He was reportedly found responsible for certain irregularities committed in a number of development works undertaken under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

Promod Kumar, a local resident, had submitted a complaint against the pradhan in this connection. The DPO ordered the latter to hand over the charge to the up pradhan of the panchayat.

The erring pradhan was served show cause notice on November 20 and asked to submit his reply within seven days but his reply was not found satisfactory. He was again given an opportunity to present his reply on December 10 but he again failed to satisfy the inquiry officer. The secretary of the panchayat and junior engineer of Indora development block has also been directed to record their statement in this connection.

Dhiman said the district auditor officer had conducted a month-long inquiry into the allegations. The pradhan had been suspended under the Panchayati Raj Act and the up pradhan of the panchayat would now look after the work as officiating pradhan, he added.