A case of embezzlement of crores of rupees from the Panchayat Samiti due to the negligence

A case of embezzlement of crores of rupees from the Panchayat Samiti due to the negligence

A case of embezzlement of crores of rupees from the Panchayat Samiti due to the negligence and connivance of the ADC, Ferozepur, has come to light. The complainant alleged in a press conference at the Mohali Press Club that the accused officer was promoted instead of being suspended.

Mohali, October 6, Social activist and retired Panchayat Secretary, Sukhpal Singh Gill, told reporters at a press conference at the Mohali Press Club today that ₹1,80,87,591 had been embezzled from the Panchayat Samiti, Ferozepur.

This embezzlement occurred due to the negligence and connivance of Arun Sharma, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development and Panchayats) posted in Ferozepur district at the time. To investigate the matter, the department constituted an inquiry committee consisting of two officers: the Divisional Deputy Director, Rural Development and Panchayats, Jalandhar, and the District Development and Panchayat Officer, Bathinda.

The inquiry committee submitted its investigation report to the Honorable Additional Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayats Department, Government of Punjab, through its office letter SA1/2024/4383 dated 10/12/2024.

According to the report received from NIC Delhi during the investigation, the dongles and checker used in this case were registered in the names of Kirandeep Kaur, Sarpanch, Gram Panchayat, Column Wala-324, and Mrs. Jaswinder Kaur, Sarpanch, Gram Panchayat, Basti Bhane Wali, instead of BDPO Kirandeep Kaur and Chairperson Jaswinder Kaur. The dongles were approved by the office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (RD), Ferozepur.

According to the report received from NIC Delhi, these dongles were approved on 01.05.2024, even though 01.05.2024 was a public holiday for Labor Day, and Kirandeep Kaur relinquished her duties as BDPO on 31.01.2024. The ID created on e-Gram Swaraj for the Additional Deputy Commissioner (RD), Ferozepur (Zila Parishad) has the mobile number of Mrs. Jaspreet Kaur, Data Entry Operator (87250-31339).

However, at that time, the Block Development and Panchayat Officer, Ferozepur, registered FIR No. 434/2024 at Police Station City Ferozepur against Kirandeep Kaur, BDPO, Jaswinder Kaur, President, Panchayat Samiti Ferozepur, Manjinder Singh, Data Entry Operator, Rekha Devi, Data Entry Operator, Shubhdeepak Bajaj, Data Entry Operator, and Jaspreet Kaur, District Council Ferozepur, Data Entry Operator. Unfortunately, Arun Sharma, who approved the two fake dongles while on a holiday from his office, is not named in this FIR.

The investigating officer also wrote in his investigation report that during the investigation, statements were taken from all the concerned employees and they were questioned, but no employee clarified the situation on the spot, and instead, attempts were made to confuse the matter. It is also clear that the role of e-panchayat employees in this embezzlement is also significant, as identity cards were created in the names of Kirandeep Kaur Sarpanch and Jaswinder Kaur Sarpanch, and their identity cards were used as fake ID cards. Both of these fake ID cards were approved by the office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (RD), Ferozepur, Dongla, further proving complicity. Therefore, in conclusion, the committee once again recommended that the investigation into the matter be immediately handed over to the police department.

Sukhpal Singh Gill stated that it is possible that Arun Sharma, despite being a criminal, may have, through the illegal use of his authority, avoided inclusion of his name in the FIR to protect himself. The text of the inquiry committee’s investigation report, “The approval of these two fake documents by the office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development), Ferozepur, also proves complicity,” clearly indicates that Arun Sharma is the main accused in the embezzlement of ₹1,80,87,591 from the Panchayat Samiti, Ferozepur.

Sukhpal Singh Gill has demanded that Punjab Chief Minister and Panchayat Minister Taranpreet Singh Saudh immediately suspend Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development) Ferozepur Arun Sharma, recently appointed as Deputy Director of the Rural Development and Panchayats Department, from his high position and that strict legal action be taken against him by the Vigilance Department or the Enforcement Directorate. He stated that this case is not only a financial scam but also raises serious questions about the security and transparency of the entire digital system.

Dibbee

What Additional Deputy Commissioner (RD) Arun Sharma has to say
Mehali; When contacted, ADC Arun Sharma denied all allegations and stated that he has filed an inquiry into the matter, the department is investigating, and a vigilance investigation is also underway, and that retired Panchayat Secretary Sukhpal Singh is making fabricated allegations against him.

Photo Caption:

Social activist Sukhpal Singh Gill holds a press conference with his lawyer at the Mohali Press Club, showing documents.