Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 7: The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) J&K has booked a former Block Development Officer (BDO) of Mendhar along with the officials of the Rural Development Department (RDD) and some beneficiaries on charges of corruption.
As per a statement, Aftab Ahmed, the former BDO Mendhar along with the RDD officials and the beneficiaries have been booked in case FIR number 03/2024 at Police Station Rajouri under sections 5(1)(c)(d) read with section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt 2006 and section 120-B of the RPC.
It said that case follows a joint surprise check prompted by a complaint alleging fund misappropriation for unexecuted works by creating false vouchers and records in Panchayat Halqa Galhuta Kangra, Block Mendhar, District Poonch.
The investigation into works executed under MGNREGA for the financial year 2018-19 revealed that the officials from RDD Block Mendhar, in collision with beneficiaries, released excess payments amount to Rs 5036 amd Rs 1,11,005 for two projects: “Construction of P/work, R/wall, C/wall at Mohalla Shabab” and “Construction of Tile Work near house of Irfan Ali of Ward number 10.
Additionally, Rs 67,704 was paid for a non-existent project titled “Construction of tile work at Ward Number 2”. These payments were released by the then BDO without necessary documentation, such as muster sheets or attendance registers.
In total, the officers and officials of RDD Block Mendhar misappropriated Rs 1,83,745, resulting in undue benefits to themselves and the beneficiaries, causing a corresponding loss to the state exchequer.
On the basis of the investigation conducted, the ACB has booked the former BDO along with the RDD officials and the beneficiaries under the relevant sections of the law and taken up further investigation into the matter.
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