MP government takes action against chief municipal officers; 392 named, 7 already dismissed

In a major administrative crackdown, the Madhya Pradesh government has taken action against 392 officials, including nearly 135 chief municipal officers, over financial irregularities in the Urban Administration Department, officials said on Sunday.

Interacting with the media, Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Administration Department Sanjay Dubey said seven officials had been dismissed from service so far based on the evidence collected during the investigation.

The government has also recovered approximately Rs 3 crore to Rs 4 crore in connection with the irregularities. Besides government officials, action is also being taken against 80 contractors and suppliers.

Outlining the department’s action plan, Dubey said technology and artificial intelligence would be used to monitor financial activities and detect irregularities.

He added that the government aims to ensure that public money is used transparently and that citizens receive the full benefits of government schemes and development projects.

It stems from major discrepancies identified by officials in procurement of identical products. As per a report by media outlet, 374 urban local bodies spent Rs 1,134 crore through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal over three years. A departmental presentation estimated potential savings of around Rs 250 crore if purchases had been made at average prices.

The review highlighted discrepancies in the procurement of garbage vehciles and other municipal supplies.

Some media outlets also revealed details of the softwares being used in the action. GeM portal and e-Nagarpalika software were used to compare procurement prices, examine payments and identify transactions that may require further scrutiny.

The crackdown against the officials is the part of a broader government initiative to strengthen accountability and prevent the misuse of public funds in urban administration.