Probe ordered into ‘irregularities’ in Kolar, Aliyabad and Amalapur gram panchayats

Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar B. Khandre has directed officials to conduct a comprehensive investigation into reports of financial transactions in gram panchayat bank accounts even after the panchayats were fully transferred to town panchayats, municipal councils or municipal corporations.

In a written instruction to the department secretary, Khandre called for an inquiry following reports that some gram panchayat bank accounts continued to be operated using official specimen signatures and office seals even after their transfer, including the transfer of their bank accounts, to urban local bodies.

The minister also directed officials to examine cases in which only certain villages under a gram panchayat were transferred to an urban local body, while the gram panchayat continued to bear the expenses of completed and ongoing works in those villages.

A committee has been asked to investigate whether unauthorised transactions took place in the bank accounts of transferred gram panchayats and whether funds were spent on works in transferred villages after the handover. The committee must submit its report within 30 days.

Khandre has specifically ordered an inquiry into alleged financial transactions and expenditure in the bank accounts of Kolar, Aliyabad and Amalapur gram panchayats, which were fully transferred from the jurisdiction of the Bidar Zilla Panchayat to the Bidar City Corporation.

The minister said the possible involvement of former gram panchayat employees and bank staff should also be examined. Officials have been directed to establish whether the transactions were authorised or whether official specimen signatures and office seals were misused.

The authenticity of the signatures should be verified by sending them to a forensic science laboratory, he said. If prima facie evidence of irregularities emerges, the officials concerned should be suspended and a complaint lodged with the jurisdictional police station to initiate registration of an FIR, Khandre directed.

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Bharath Anjanappa

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Bharath Anjanappa is an experienced journalist specializing in Politics and Civic issues. With over a decade (2012 till date) of writing expertise, he handles or contributes towards Bengaluru sector/area. Bharath Anjanappa has completed his graduation/post-graduation from Bangalore University (with a specialization in Finance, Marketing and HR). When not immersed in writing, he can be found spending time farming. Bharath Anjanappa is an accomplished writer with a passion for writing on current political situation and Civic issues. With 12 years of experience, he has honed his craft in various genres, including entertainment, crime, education and Politics. Bharath's diverse family history and embracing cultures have enriched his writing with unique perspectives.

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