Bhautipratappur: Allegations of corruption have surfaced in the allocation of funds under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) in the Durgukondal Janpad Panchayat of Kanker district. The Janpad Panchayat’s president and members, including former MLA Devalal Dugga from Bhanupratappur, have staged a dharna (sit-in protest) demanding an inquiry into the corrupt practices. During the protest, Dugga accused the current Collector of negligence in handling the case and questioned why the Collector was seemingly indifferent to the matter.
Additionally, the Janpad Panchayat president accused officials of arbitrary spending and mismanagement of funds. The embezzlement involves a sum exceeding 2 crore rupees from the DMF allocation in the Durgukondal Janpad Panchayat, where substandard materials were allegedly procured but not distributed as intended.
Dugga revealed that when the information came to the attention of Janpad Panchayat officials, they decided to expose the corruption. Members of the Janpad Panchayat have not only demanded an inquiry into the matter but also insisted on filing a First Information Report (FIR) against the responsible individuals.
In response to the allegations, the District Collector stated that an investigation is currently underway, and a physical examination is pending. The Collector emphasized that action against those responsible will be taken only after a thorough investigation.
Furthermore, Janpad Panchayat President Santosh Dugga expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in financial matters, stating that even he, as the president, was kept in the dark about the specific amounts and their intended purposes.
The controversy also involves the Chief Executive Officer of the Janpad Panchayat, Neelam Uike. When approached for comment, Uike stated that she was not authorized to speak on the matter.
As the investigation unfolds, the local community awaits the findings and hopes for accountability in the alleged embezzlement of DMF funds meant for the welfare and development of the region. The outcome of the inquiry will determine the course of action against the accused officials involved in the financial irregularities in the Durgukondal Janpad Panchayat.
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