Kanpur District Magistrate Ensures Strict Action Over Panchayat Revenue Irregularities
District Magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh on Tuesday directed strict action against serious irregularities discovered in the allotment of shops constructed by the gram panchayat and in the management of revenue in Sachendi village, located in the Kalyanpur block of Kanpur district.
Show Cause Notices Issued to Village Officials
A show cause notice has been issued to village head Urmila Devi, along with former secretary Rakesh Jha, Shaili Rathore, and Sushil Verma. The notice mandates that these officials provide a clarification with supporting evidence within a strict timeframe of 15 days. The directive explicitly requires the concerned officials to submit a written explanation accompanied by evidence within this period.
In the event that the response is deemed unsatisfactory, financial responsibility will be determined, and departmental action will be initiated in accordance with established rules. Concurrently, the process for recovering outstanding revenue has been set into motion.
Investigation Uncovers Significant Revenue Liability
District Panchayat Raj Officer Manoj Kumar, acting on the instructions of the District Magistrate, conducted a thorough investigation. This probe revealed a substantial revenue liability amounting to Rs 10,31,800 owed to the Gram Nidhi, the village fund.
The investigation highlighted that proper compliance with prescribed conditions was not ensured during the allotment of 23 shops constructed by the gram panchayat back in 2015. A critical finding was that many of these shops were being operated by individuals other than the original allottees, indicating potential mismanagement or unauthorized transfers.
Multiple Discrepancies in Rent Management and Record-Keeping
Further irregularities were identified in the financial management of these properties. The prescribed rent was not being regularly deposited into the village panchayat account, leading to significant revenue shortfalls. The report documented clear discrepancies between rent collection records and actual bank deposits, suggesting possible financial mismanagement.
Some shops were found to be actively operating on-site, yet their rent records showed zero entries, indicating a complete failure in revenue collection. Additionally, rental rates for these properties had not been revised in a timely manner, further exacerbating the financial loss to the panchayat.
The investigation also noted a severe lack of systematic record-keeping. Essential documents such as allotment letters, agreements, and condition records were not properly preserved, hindering transparency and accountability.
Underutilization of Panchayat Infrastructure
In a separate but related finding, the Panchayat Udyog Bhawan, constructed on an area of approximately 500 square metres, was not being utilized for income generation purposes. This represents a missed opportunity for the panchayat to enhance its revenue streams.
The investigation concluded that proactive efforts to increase panchayat income were notably absent, directly contributing to the identified revenue liability of ₹1,031,800 on the village fund. This amount is considered significant at the panchayat level, impacting local development and welfare initiatives.
District Magistrate's Firm Stance on Transparency
District Magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and mismanagement. He stated, "There will be no compromise on transparency in the management of panchayat properties. If found guilty in cases of causing loss to the village fund, strict action will be taken as per rules."
This decisive action underscores the administration's commitment to ensuring accountability and proper governance at the grassroots level, aiming to safeguard public resources and promote efficient rural administration.
