Tribune News Service
Ropar, July 8
Three ex-Block Development and Panchayat Officers (BDPOs), posted at Anandpur Sahib since November 2021, have allegedly embezzled more than Rs 11 crore.
Rs 6.5 crore spent during poll code
- Irregularities were found in purchases at the office of Anandpur Sahib BDPO
- Of Rs 7.38 crore received from the Planning Department on Jan 10, Rs 6.5 crore was spent the same day
- There was, however, no quotation or bills available in this regard in the office records
- The amount could not have been spent as the code of conduct was in force then
Now, Rural Development and Panchayat Department Additional Chief Secretary Seema Jain has suspended all three — Jatinder Singh Dhillon (now posted at Bhunarheri), Gurdeep Singh (at present senior assistant, audit, Pakhowal) and Chand Singh (senior assistant, audit, Mohali).
The embezzled amount includes Rs 7.38 crore received from the Planning Department and Rs 3.95 crore, given by the Chief Minister from his discretionary quota.
According to information, Ropar District Development and Panchayat Officer (DDPO) Amarinder Chauhan was looking into some other case in May this year when he noticed some irregularities in purchases at the office of Anandpur Sahib BDPO. On checking the records it was found that out of Rs 7.38 crore received from the Planning Department on January 10 at the BDPO office, Rs 6.5 crore was spent the same day. There was, however, no quotation or bills available in this regard in office records.
Interestingly, the department could not spend this amount as code of conduct was already imposed due to the Assembly elections since January 8.
Earlier on December 24, the department received Rs 3.95 crore from the discretionary quota of the Chief Minister. Three days later, payments amounting to Rs 3.18 lakh were made on December 27, the record of which was not available at the BDPO office.
Inquiries revealed that out of this amount Rs 1.59 crore was transferred to bank account of a cricket goods firm and Rs 3.18 crore was paid to an export company. A construction company also got Rs 35 lakh. The veracity of these companies was yet to be established.
When contacted, the Ropar DDPO, Amarinder Chauhan, confirmed that there were some irregularities in records of the BDPO office at Anandpur Sahib. “I have forwarded the report in this regard to the higher authorities with recommendation of a detailed inquiry into it,” he said.
3 former BDPOs suspended for siphoning off more than Rs 11 cr
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