Panchayat Secretary Booked for Major Fund Misappropriation in Patna
In a significant development highlighting financial irregularities in rural administration, an FIR has been officially registered against panchayat secretary Ramakant Giri for the alleged embezzlement of government funds totaling Rs 1.06 crore. The case falls under the jurisdiction of the Masaurhi police station area in Patna district, marking a serious crackdown on corruption at the grassroots level.
Investigation Uncovers Systematic Financial Lapses
The misappropriation came to light following a comprehensive investigation ordered by Patna District Magistrate Thiyagarajan S M. The probe focused on the financial year 2020-21, during which Giri served as the panchayat secretary in the Mokama block. In this capacity, he was responsible for overseeing 15 panchayats, making the scale of the alleged fraud particularly concerning.
The funds in question were allocated under the 15th Finance Commission grants, specifically designated for critical rural development initiatives. These projects were intended to enhance infrastructure and living conditions in rural areas and included:
- Tap water supply systems
- Sewer and drain construction
- Road paving and maintenance
- Construction of panchayat government buildings
- Various sanitation and cleanliness initiatives
Complete Lack of Accountability and Documentation
The district magistrate's inquiry revealed a disturbing pattern of indiscipline, negligence in official duties, and serious financial irregularities. Investigators found that the allocated funds were neither properly utilized nor subjected to mandatory audits. There was a complete absence of clear records detailing:
- Expenditure as per specific schemes
- Exact locations where work was supposedly executed
- Proper accounting under relevant budget heads
This lack of documentation created an environment where Rs 1.06 crore could allegedly be misappropriated without immediate detection. The investigation further noted that Giri failed to cooperate during the probe and consistently disregarded departmental guidelines, exacerbating the situation.
Official Actions and Legal Proceedings
Following the confirmation of these lapses in the official report, District Magistrate Thiyagarajan S M directed Block Development Officer (BDO) Prabhakar Kumar of Masaurhi to lodge a formal FIR at the Masaurhi police station. The FIR was registered on Saturday, based on the complaint filed by the BDO.
Vivek Bharti, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Masaurhi police station, confirmed the registration of the case. He stated, "The committee investigating the matter, on the instruction of the DM, submitted its report. Further action will be taken based on the report." This indicates that the legal process is now actively underway, with potential for additional charges or investigations.
Based on the FIR, Giri now faces serious charges including embezzlement of government funds and negligence in discharging his official duties. In a decisive administrative move, the district magistrate has also ordered Giri's dismissal from government service. At the time of the FIR, Giri was serving in the Rewan panchayat under the Masaurhi block, demonstrating that the alleged misconduct spanned multiple postings.
This case underscores ongoing challenges in ensuring transparency and accountability in the utilization of public funds, particularly in rural development schemes. The swift action by the district administration signals a firm stance against corruption at the panchayat level, potentially serving as a deterrent for similar irregularities in the future.
