Congress Councillor Bhupinder Kaur Exposes Ludhiana MC Ghost Employee Scam
In a bold move, Congress councillor Bhupinder Kaur has once again brought the alarming issue of ghost employees within the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) to the forefront. She has pointedly referenced her previous complaints, which she claims were ignored by MC authorities, highlighting a pattern of inaction that she describes as deeply concerning.
Formal Complaint Lodged Against Administrative Corruption
Kaur has submitted a detailed complaint to the MC commissioner, mayor, and officials from the local bodies department. She asserts that this is not just a minor administrative oversight but an urgent matter involving severe administrative corruption, financial embezzlement, and a blatant violation of the Punjab Municipal Corporation (PMC) Act, 1976. Her allegations paint a picture of systemic failure that threatens public welfare.
Allegations of a Calculated Cover-Up
The councillor has revealed that despite her repeated formal requests and the filing of a Right to Information (RTI) application on February 17, 2025, the concerned officials have deliberately suppressed the duty rolls or rosters for safai karamcharis (sweepers). Kaur insists this is not merely an administrative delay but a calculated cover-up of a ghost employee scam. She alleges that this scam is draining the MC exchequer while simultaneously putting the public health of Ludhiana residents at severe risk.
Details of the Ghost Employee Scheme
While elaborating on the issue, Kaur cited credible reports indicating the presence of ghost employees in the MC health branch. These individuals are said to draw full salaries from the public exchequer but remain absent from their duties to pursue private businesses. As an elected house member, Kaur formally requested the duty rosters to verify field attendance, but these requests were met with silence, leading her to suspect collusion.
She suspects that certain officials are hand in glove with these ghost employees, enabling them to fill private coffers at the expense of public sanitation. Kaur emphasized her right to seek information from the commissioner regarding administration, underscoring the lack of actual manpower on the ground, which jeopardizes cleaning and sanitation work.
Public Health Risks and Financial Crimes
The consequences of this neglect are dire. The accumulation of waste and lack of sweeping have created unhygienic conditions, posing serious health risks to vulnerable groups such as children, elderly residents, and patients. Kaur condemned this dereliction of duty as an organized financial crime against the taxpayers of Ludhiana, demanding accountability and immediate rectification.
Demands for Immediate Action and Accountability
In her complaint, Councillor Kaur has laid out a series of demands to address the crisis:
- Immediate production of the complete safai karamchari duty rolls or roster within 24 hours.
- A high-level enquiry into the ghost employee allegations to uncover the truth.
- Physical verification, through biometric or spot checks, of all health branch staff to ensure authenticity.
- Strict disciplinary action under the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules against officials responsible for suppressing information and facilitating ghost payrolls.
- Recovery of illegally drawn salaries from concerned officials or employees if the enquiry confirms the presence of ghost employees.
- A written action taken report (ATR) and the diary or dispatch number of this complaint within three working days.
Kaur has warned that if officials fail to act promptly, she will escalate the matter to the state vigilance bureau and Lokpal Punjab for the registration of a formal corruption case, signaling her determination to see justice served.
Response from MC Commissioner
Meanwhile, MC Commissioner Neeru Katyal Gupta has responded to the allegations, stating that she will review the complaint thoroughly before offering any comments. This cautious approach leaves the public awaiting further developments in what could become a significant scandal in Ludhiana's municipal governance.
