Burning updates: Chandigarh
Vigilance arrests BDPO and block committee chairman of Siddwan Bet on charges of fraud of Rs 65 lakh in government funds
Street lights purchased at twice the sanctioned rate
Completion certificate prepared without street lights
During the campaign to eradicate corruption from the state, Punjab Vigilance Bureau Punjab today informed the BDPO of Sidhwan Bet Block, Ludhiana, Satwinder Singh Kang and Sidhwan Bet Block Samiti Chairman Lakhwinder Singh, of the streets to be installed in 26 villages. Arrested on charges of defrauding government funds of Rs 65 lakh by purchasing lights at twice the sanctioned rate.
Giving information in this regard, the spokesperson of Vigilance Bureau said that during the investigation of Vigilance Inquiry No. 03 dated 12-07-2022, it was found that Satwinder Singh BDPO. (now suspended) received a government grant to install street lights in 26 villages during its deployment in Siddwan Bet Block.
In order to manipulate the funds, the said BDPO in connivance with Gaurav Sharma, owner of M/s Amar Electrical Enterprises, deliberately purchased these lights at Rs 7,288 per light as against the sanctioned rate of Rs 3,325. In this way, he caused financial loss to the government exchequer by defrauding the government grant of 65 lakh rupees.
Giving more information, he said that in this case, at the Police Station, Economic Crime Wing, Ludhiana under Section 409, 120-B of the IPC and Section 13(1) (A), 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. .DPO FIR No. 10 dated 27-09-2022 has been registered against Satwinder Singh Kang and Gaurav Sharma, owner of M/s Amar Electrical Enterprises.
He further said that later during the investigation, Chairman of Sidhwan Bet Block Samiti Lakhwinder Singh was also nominated in this case. In this case, the BDPO and the chairman have been arrested and will be produced in the court tomorrow. Further investigation is on in this regard.
The spokesperson further informed that the resolution to install street lights was passed by the members of Block Samiti Siddhav Bet on 30-12-2021 but the relevant BDPO approved the quotation on 27-12-2021 before the resolution was passed. With the intention of defrauding the funds, the above mentioned BDPO had prepared its completion certificate without bringing these street lights in 26 villages. Further investigation of this matter is ongoing.