Inspection report flags alleged irregularities in development works; complaints include payments for work not found on site and an old borewell allegedly shown as new
Sakti/Jajapur : Alleged financial irregularities involving ₹16.76 lakh in development funds have come under scrutiny in Salni Gram Panchayat under Jaijaipur Janpad Panchayat in Chhattisgarh’s Sakti district. A district-level inquiry reportedly found that payments had been recorded for several works that were allegedly not completed on the ground. Following the inquiry, show-cause notices were issued to the concerned sub-engineer, sarpanch and secretary, seeking explanations and supporting evidence within three days.
The case centres on alleged irregularities in expenditure on borewell drilling, pump installation, toilet construction, drainage work, platform repairs and other development activities. The findings have raised questions about the implementation of public works and the technical verification process used before payments were recorded.
Allegations of Payments for Missing Works
The complaint was filed by Jai Chandra, the current deputy sarpanch of Salni and a former Janpad Panchayat member. He alleged that government funds had been withdrawn in the name of development works without the corresponding work being carried out.
Another allegation concerns an existing borewell that was allegedly shown as a newly drilled borewell to justify the withdrawal of funds.
According to the inquiry findings described in the complaint, discrepancies were found between the work recorded in official documents and the conditions observed during physical verification. The allegations relate to expenditure on multiple projects, with the reported amount under scrutiny totalling ₹16,76,389.
Complainant Questions Janpad-Level Inquiry
Jai Chandra said he initially lodged a complaint through the e-Panchayat portal and approached the Jaijaipur Janpad Panchayat for an investigation.
He alleged that the inquiry team constituted at the Janpad level failed to address the matter adequately and attempted to suppress it. Dissatisfied with the outcome, he subsequently approached Sakti District Panchayat Chief Executive Officer IAS Vasu Jain and sought a district-level investigation.
According to Chandra, the subsequent inquiry found substance in the allegations, prompting the authorities to initiate further action.
“I had filed a complaint on the e-Panchayat portal. A Janpad-level team visited the site, but the matter was suppressed. I then complained to District Panchayat CEO Vasu Jain. The district team exposed large-scale irregularities, and I now hope to get justice,” Chandra said.
Technical Verification Under Scrutiny
The case has also raised questions about the role of officials responsible for measuring and verifying development works before expenditure is recorded.
If a work was not present at the site or had not been completed, the basis on which it was measured and entered in the measurement book will be an important aspect of the inquiry. The allegation that an old borewell was presented as a new one has also brought the technical verification process under scrutiny.
The roles of sub-engineer Ved Prakash Dunsena and the Rural Engineering Services (RES) Sub-Divisional Officer are being questioned in connection with the matter. However, the issuance of a show-cause notice does not by itself establish individual liability or prove wrongdoing.
Notices Issued; Further Action Awaited
According to the district-level inquiry details, ₹16,76,389 was allegedly withdrawn and recorded as expenditure without the corresponding works being completed. The expenditure is reported to have occurred during the tenures of former secretary Laxman Banjare and current secretary Santra Sidar.
The district authorities have issued show-cause notices to the concerned sub-engineer, sarpanch and secretary, directing them to appear and submit their explanations along with supporting evidence within three days. A separate notice has also reportedly been issued to former sarpanch Tankeshwar Chandra.
District Panchayat CEO Vasu Jain confirmed that notices had been issued following the district-level inquiry.
“Following the district-level investigation, notices have been issued to the concerned sarpanch, secretary and sub-engineer. Further action against those concerned will be taken soon,” Jain said.
The authorities’ next steps will depend on the explanations and evidence submitted by the officials concerned and the findings of the administrative proceedings. Any recovery of public funds or disciplinary action will depend on the outcome of the process.
Key Questions Await Further Answers
The Salni Panchayat case has brought attention to the monitoring of local development expenditure, physical verification of public works and accountability in the use of government funds.
The central questions are whether the recorded works were actually completed, how the expenditure was verified and whether the alleged discrepancies resulted in the misuse of public money. The responses submitted by the officials and any subsequent orders from the district administration will be important in determining the next course of action.
The allegations remain subject to the ongoing administrative process. The officials concerned have been asked to explain their positions, and the final findings and action taken by the authorities are awaited.
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