Fatehpur BDO submits report on misuse of panchayat funds

Our Correspondent

NURPUR, DECEMBER 1

After receiving complaints from local RTI activists, the Block Development Officer (BDO), Fatehpur, in Kangra district has conducted an inquiry into the alleged misuse of government funds in purchasing solar lights by Sidhpurghat gram panchayat in 2016. The inquiry report was submitted to the District Panchayat Officer (DPO), Kangra, for further action.

As per findings in the inquiry report, the gram panchayat had allegedly floated mandatory rules while placing an order to procure solar lights to a Chandigarh-based private manufacturer. However, the panchayat had taken quotations for purchasing 15 solar lights in April 2016 and after purchasing these lights, it took approval of the quotation in the gram sabha meeting on July 8, 2016. Fatehpur BDO Raj Kumar said it was against the rule as the panchayat had to take the approval of the gram sabha before placing an order to the supplier or manufacturer.

Another violation of rules had been committed by the gram panchayat for not entering purchase bills of the solar lights in the panchayat’s Measurement Book (MB) before releasing payment to the supplier, which was mandatory. In this connection, Ashwani Sharma, DPO, Kangra, said he had received the inquiry report and pradhan and panchayat secretary of the Sidhpurghat gram panchayat were being issued show-cause notices and the next action would be taken as per department rules.

Meanwhile, Dinesh Katoch, Sanjay Kumar and Amar Singh, local RTI activists, who had procured copies of records relating to the alleged misuse of panchayat funds and violation of rules while undertaking development works, have claimed that the panchayat had purchased these solar lights at Rs 24,990 per light whereas its actual cost was Rs 9,500 as confirmed from a quotation procured from the same manufacturer for the same make and model on September 24 this year. Alleging a dilly-dally attitude of the authorities in taking any action against the erring gram panchayat even after receiving the inquiry report, they said they were approaching the Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau, Kangra.

Paramjeet Mankotia, pradhan of Sidhpurghat gram panchayat, said the complainants were leveling false allegations against the panchayat to defame her when panchayat elections were around the corner.

The probe findings

• The panchayat took quotations for the purchase of 15 solar lights in April 2016 but took ‘approval’ for the quotation in a gram sabha meeting in July 2016 after making the purchase
• In another violation of rules, the gram panchayat did not enter purchase bills of the solar lights in the panchayat’s measurement book before releasing payment to the supplier