Huge embezzlement of funds in Gram Panchayat

Mahabubnagar : In a shocking revelation, rampant corruption has been uncovered in the Addakal Gram Panchayat of Addakal mandal, Mahabubnagar district. The village secretary, in collusion with the sarpanch, has allegedly embezzled crores of rupees of government funds by submitting and approving fake bills.

Investigations reveal that the Addakal Gram Panchayat officials, particularly the Panchayat Secretary along with the Village Sarpanch Manjula, have been colluding to approve fraudulent bills for various activities and purchases.

For example, a grocery bill from a shop in Addakal mandal dated October 15, 2023, indicated a purchase of 2 kilograms of jaggery (bellam) for an exorbitant Rs 2,200. Similarly, another bill from Gurudatta Filling Station in the same mandal showed a purchase of 18 liters of petrol for Rs 2,250 at the rate of Rs. 125 per liter.

These examples are merely the tip of the iceberg. The village sarpanch Manjula and secretaries Srinivas and Saraswati have been approving these exorbitantly priced fake bills, blatantly misusing their power and responsibility to embezzle government funds.

WHISTLEBLOWER’S ALLEGATIONS

According to Diddi Praveen Kumar, a social activist and president of the NGO Nenu Saitam, the corruption has been rampant during the past five years of BRS rule. He claims that there has been no end to the looting of funds by the village secretary and the sarpanch, who are allegedly affiliated with the BRS party.

“As part of our investigation, more than 90 percent of the bills approved in the village are completely fake and fabricated,” said Kumar.

“Not only did they swindle funds with fake bills, but the panchayat secretary and the sarpanch also usurped funds meant for installing playgrounds, parks, benches, demolishing dilapidated houses, removing unwanted trees, and sanitation purposes. One bill for Rs 1,72,165 was approved for repairing an RO water filter for the village. However, the villagers have never used the water filter, which remains defunct to this day, while bills worth lakhs have been approved and government funds looted.” Nenu Saitam is demanding a thorough investigation into the matter. “The District Panchayat Officer and the district collector must conduct a detailed investigation and bring to justice all those involved in the scam,” said Kumar.