The Punjab Education Department has suspended a Block Primary Education Officer (BPEO) and four clerks, and directed the registration of an FIR after they were allegedly found guilty of financial embezzlement and irregularities in salary, provident fund, and leave encashment bills.
Preliminary Inquiry Uncovers Financial Irregularities
The action followed the detection of alleged financial irregularities in bills related to salaries, provident funds, and leave encashment during a preliminary inquiry. Based on the findings, District Education Officer (Elementary) Kanwaljit Singh Sandhu has written to the Police Commissioner of Amritsar seeking the registration of an FIR against the officials concerned.
According to an official communication issued by the department, any delay or negligence in implementing the directions will make the officer concerned personally responsible.
Suspended Officials Named
Those suspended include Block Primary Education Officer Yashpal, who served as the Drawing and Disbursing Officer for the Majitha-1, Majitha-2, Rayya-1, Rayya-2, and Amritsar-4 blocks. The suspended officials also include clerk Gursewak Singh of Amritsar-3 block, clerk Sukhdev Singh of Majitha-1 block, clerk Sukhdev Singh of Majitha-2 block, and another clerk whose name was not disclosed in the departmental action.
Department Orders Immediate Suspension and FIR
District Education Officer (Elementary) Kanwaljit Singh Sandhu said the officials had been placed under suspension with immediate effect. The department has also directed the DEO to forward a copy of the FIR to the Punjab Government immediately after its registration. The matter has been ordered to be dealt with on priority.
According to official sources, the suspended BPEO had earlier been suspended in 2023 in connection with alleged embezzlement in the purchase of school uniforms before later rejoining service.
Quote from DEO Sandhu
“We have written to the police to register an FIR in the matter. The police will examine the documents, financial records and other evidence. Further legal and departmental action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation,” DEO Sandhu said.
