Action Taken Against Secretaries Of 21 Mathura Gram Panchayats For Misuse Of Tied Funds

Mathura: The district administration has taken departmental action against secretaries of 21 gram panchayats in Mathura for allegedly spending funds allocated under the 15th Finance Commission's tied fund on projects outside the permitted categories.

Following an inquiry that confirmed violations of government spending guidelines, Chief Development Officer (CDO) Dr Pooja Gupta directed that adverse entries be recorded in the service records of the concerned secretaries. Two of them also failed to submit replies to official notices seeking explanations.

What Are the Rules Governing Tied Fund Expenditure?

Under the 15th Finance Commission guidelines, tied funds allocated to gram panchayats can be spent only on specified areas, including drinking water facilities, water conservation, rainwater harvesting, construction and repair of drains, sanitation, and solid and liquid waste management.

However, the inquiry found that some panchayats had used the money for other development projects, including road construction, panchayat buildings and general infrastructure works, which fall outside the permitted categories.

Inquiry Identifies Violations in Seven Development Blocks

After receiving information about the alleged irregularities, CDO Dr Pooja Gupta ordered an examination of expenditure records in the concerned gram panchayats.

The investigation found violations in 21 gram panchayats spread across seven development blocks: Farah, Chaumuhan, Chhata, Baldev, Naujheel, Govardhan and Mathura. The inquiry report confirmed that funds had been spent on activities beyond those authorised under the government guidelines.

Based on the findings, adverse entries were issued against the concerned panchayat secretaries as departmental action. The failure of two secretaries to respond to notices seeking clarification was also viewed seriously.

The action has prompted concern within the department, with officials facing scrutiny over compliance with financial rules governing the use of funds allocated to village panchayats.