A panchayat secretary in Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa district has been suspended after an inquiry found financial irregularities in the withdrawal and payment of development funds from a gram panchayat account without the sarpanch’s knowledge and signature. Shivendra Mishra, secretary of Karahiya No. 2 gram panchayat, was suspended after the investigation found that funds had allegedly been withdrawn without following the required procedure. The action was taken by District Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Mehtab Singh Gurjar after a complaint was submitted by the sarpanch.

The complaint alleged that the secretary had withdrawn and paid out lakhs of rupees from the panchayat’s development funds without obtaining the sarpanch’s signature. Following the complaint, the district panchayat CEO directed an Assistant Accounts Officer to examine the matter and verify the financial transactions. During the inquiry, officials found that the secretary had issued an administrative approval order without proper authorisation. The investigation also found payments based on allegedly fabricated bills and other financial irregularities. The findings were subsequently included in the inquiry report, which held Mishra responsible for the irregularities.

Based on the investigation report, the department ordered Mishra’s suspension under the Madhya Pradesh Panchayat Service Discipline and Appeal Rules, 1999. The case is significant because withdrawals and payments from panchayat funds are required to follow prescribed financial procedures, including approval from authorised officials and the signatures of designated signatories. Any withdrawal made without the required authorisation can be treated as a violation of financial rules. Similarly, payments made without proper administrative approval and valid supporting documents can lead to departmental action.

During the suspension period, Mishra’s headquarters have been fixed at the Janpad Panchayat office in Rewa. He will be entitled to subsistence allowance as per applicable rules during the period of suspension. Further departmental proceedings, if initiated, will determine whether additional action is required based on the findings of the inquiry.

The action has also brought attention to the procedures governing the use of development funds at the panchayat level. Such funds are meant for approved local development and public works, and transactions are expected to be supported by proper approvals, bills and other financial records. In this case, the inquiry was initiated after the sarpanch raised the issue, following which officials examined the records and transactions before recommending action.

For now, the suspension is an administrative action based on the departmental inquiry findings. The matter could see further proceedings under the applicable service rules, depending on the department’s decision and any subsequent examination of the financial records. The case also highlights the importance of proper authorisation and documentation in the handling of local government funds.