Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 28: In the wake of numerous complaints of alleged corrupt practices and plundering of MGNREGA funds, the Deputy Commissioner Reasi has ordered suspension of BDO Arnas/Chassana/ Thuroo, Rajesh Padha and also initiated an enquiry against him.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner Reasi, who is also District Vigilance Officer, has been assigned to hold enquiry into all the charges leveled against the BDO and submit a report within a period of two weeks. The suspended officer shall remain attached in the office of the ADC Reasi till the enquiry is completed into the charges against him, says an order, issued by DC Reasi, Ravinder Kumar.
The action has been initiated against the BDO, who was previously holding the charge of Thakrakot block also, in the wake of series of complaints pleading that he had plundered almost whole of the funds drawn in the name of material component under MGNREGA. He allegedly exaggerated carriages and prepared fraudulent vouchers to swindle lakhs of rupees in the name of material component under MGNREGA.
According to a complaint, the accused BDO even misappropriated some funds given to block Arnas by the Railway authorities for development purposes, citing a list of works.
Following the complaints, the BDO was earlier directed by the office of the Deputy Commissioner to explain his position for making payments against poor quality of works as reported in the inspection report of block Arnas and Thuroo by the Additional District Development Commissioner Reasi, he did not bother to explain and submit report.
Meanwhile, official sources said that a number of similar complaints of plundering MGNREGA funds by purchasing surplus material by the respective BDOs in different blocks, have been made by individuals and deputations of people.
Material component under MGNREGA (stone, sand, crushed stone) are purchased in huge quantity despite almost negligible requirement of the same and exaggerated carriages are shown fraudulently to swindle funds, sources explained and added that a through investigation into such charges can unearth multi-crores scam in the Rural Development Department in Jammu and Kashmir.
When contacted, Commissioner Secretary Rural Development Department, Khurshid Shah said that he has categorical instructed both the Directors to take cognizance of such allegations though no such formal complaints have been received by his office.
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