DC Reasi Removes Four Temporary RDD Officials After Probe Finds Financial Irregularities
Reasi, Sept 5 — In a decisive move aimed at enforcing accountability in public service, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Reasi, Nidhi Malik, has ordered the dismissal of four temporary officials attached to the Rural Development Department (RDD). The action follows the findings of a formal inquiry that uncovered serious irregularities, record manipulation and alleged embezzlement related to MGNREGA and Swachh Bharat Mission activities.
Inquiry Reveals Widespread Irregularities
The inquiry, conducted under the supervision of ADDC Sukhdev Singh, documented a range of violations including forged and duplicate job-cards, unauthorized deletions from records and sanctioning of non-existent assets. In the Jij Bagli block, officials discovered that out of 55 job-cards examined during the audit, seven were fake, five duplicated, twenty-four had been deleted and thirty-one remained active on paper despite discrepancies.
As a consequence of these findings, the DC has ordered termination of two temporary staffers from Block Jij Bagli — Mohammad Latief (Gram Rozgar Sevak) and Rahil Magotra (Technical Assistant). A separate probe in Block Chassana implicated Abdul Qayoom (GRS) and Arun Gandotra (Technical Assistant) for irregularities in the execution and record-keeping of Swachh Bharat Mission works.
Allegations Include Missing Assets and Misused Funds
Inspectors report that financial entries indicate expenditure — for example, ₹3.00 lakh recorded for a Community Sanitary Complex (CSC) in Panchayat Chassana-A — but during the social audit the physical asset could not be located. Such discrepancies prompted the administration to recommend recovery actions and stringent disciplinary measures.
The DC has not only targeted the temporary employees directly involved but has also called for a broader review of supervisory accountability. Senior officials including the Block Development Officers (BDOs), Junior Engineers and Panchayat Secretaries serving during the period under review have been named in recommendations for further action, reflecting concerns that the malpractice extended beyond a few individuals.
Administrative Response and Next Steps
DC Nidhi Malik affirmed the administration’s commitment to transparency and integrity in public programs. She has urged the RDD headquarters to initiate recovery proceedings where appropriate and to follow the Jammu & Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1956, to ensure disciplinary and legal compliance.
Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner recommended that the matter be escalated to the Secretary of Rural Development to ensure strict and exemplary punishment, especially where permanent functionaries may have overlooked or facilitated the irregularities during their tenure.
Impact on Public Trust
Local residents and civic activists welcomed the prompt administrative action but stressed the need for systemic reforms. They demanded strengthened social audits, real-time financial tracking and public access to project verification records to prevent recurrence. The social audit that revealed missing or manipulated job-cards is being cited by activists as an example of how community oversight can detect corruption in grassroots schemes.
Conclusion
By ordering terminations and recommending recovery and further disciplinary steps, the Reasi administration has signalled a zero-tolerance approach toward corruption. Officials say further investigations will continue and that action will be taken against anyone — temporary or permanent — found culpable in siphoning public funds or falsifying records under flagship rural development programmes.
Source: Based on reporting by Daily Excelsior — (Read Original)
Labels: Corruption, Reasi, RDD, MGNREGA, Swachh Bharat, Administrative Action
Tags: #Reasi #MGNREGA #SwachhBharat #Corruption #PublicAccountability
Disclaimer: This article is a rewritten summary based on the original reporting by Daily Excelsior. Jammu News Portal does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of external content.
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