Reportedly punjab Rural Development and panchayat minister Laljit Singh Bhullar on friday claimed to have unearthed ascam worth around Rs 121 crore in the department and ordered to hand over the officials to the VigilanceBureau. Officials said the scam pertains to some officials and sarpanches allegedly withdrawing a part of themoney received from the sale of panchayat land in violation of rules.Charge sheet filed against dozens of officers including 6 sarpanchesAccording to an official statement, the minister has directed officials to immediately file a charge sheet againstabout a dozen officers of the department, including six sarpanches, in the scam. panchayat minister Laljit SinghBhullar said that the Panchayats of Salempur, Sekhewal, Selkiana, Bonkar Gujran, Kadiana Khurd andDhanansu of Ludhiana-2 block received Rs 252.94 crore after the acquisition of hundreds of acres of Panchayatland of these villages, but Rs 120.87 crore. Were taken out. This amount was withdrawn with the allegedconnivance of some corrupt officers and employees of the department as well as sarpanches.Minister ordered investigation into the matterMinister Laljit Singh Bhullar said that when the matter came to his notice, he immediately ordered a thoroughinvestigation by a team under the supervision of a Joint director level officer. Through mutual collusion, anamount of Rs 120.87 crore was withdrawn from the fixed deposit without spending it. Whereas no one has theright to withdraw such FD without the approval of the government. Only the interest received from FD can bespent on village development works after taking administrative and technical approval with the advice oftechnical officers. The minister directed the officials to hand over further investigation to the Vigilance Bureauand said that the process of recovery of money from the accused sarpanches and officials has been started. Alongwith this, hdfc bank, yash Bank, Equitas bank and Axis bank can also be blacklisted if they do not cooperatein the investigation.
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