Punjab Government has dismissed a Block Development Panchayat Officer (BDPO) for embezzling Government’s funds of nearly Rs 50 lakh. To initiate strict action against the officer, Tarn Taran district police chief has been asked to register a case against the BDPO and proceed.
State Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa has dismissed BDPO Gandiwind Block in Tarn Taran district Rasaal Singh from his service.
“An inquiry was conducted against the BDPO after issuing charge-sheet. The inquiry found that the concerned BDPO has not followed proper procedure for work of providing and fixing hand pumps under his jurisdiction,” said State Rural Development and Panchayat Department secretary Anurag Verma.
The inquiry pointed that the officer concerned had neither called any tender for the said work nor he issued any work order for the work. Moreover, not a single agreement pertaining to the work was signed by him.
Besides, the work bill was also not entered in any measurement book. As such, the inquiry officer has found the accused guilty for embezzlement of funds amounting to Rs 48.37 lakhs.
Verma said similarly, for the work amounting to Rs 14.50 lakhs for installation of solar lights in villages under the block falling within jurisdiction of said officer, upon inquiry, it was found that BDPO has not followed proper procedure for execution and also not entered the bill for the work in measurement book.
Besides, the BDPO, in connivance with another person named Mukhtiar Singh, was also found guilty for embezzlement of fund amounting to Rs 14.06 lakh for the construction of toilets.
As per the inquiry report submitted by the inquiry officer, the accused BDPO has not followed procedure properly.