Punjab Vigilance Names Senior Officer in ₹1.80 Crore Government Funds Scam

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau has widened its investigation into an alleged ₹1.80 crore government funds misappropriation, naming senior officer Arun Sharma as a key accused in the case.

Sharma, who was serving as Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) during the period under investigation and is currently posted as Deputy Director, Rural Development and Panchayat Officer, has been included in the expanding probe into the alleged financial irregularities.

₹1.80 Crore Allegedly Transferred to Single Tile Firm

According to official documents, ₹1,80,87,591 from 15th Finance Commission grants was allegedly diverted between May 26 and June 23, 2024.

Investigators claim the amount was transferred to a single tile manufacturing company in Ferozepur through 11 separate instalments, raising questions about the procurement process and utilisation of public funds.

The Vigilance Bureau is examining whether the tiles for which payments were released were actually supplied and used in government-funded development projects.

Investigation Expanded After Initial FIR

The case was originally registered on December 13, 2024, naming the then Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO), the former Panchayat Samiti chairperson and four data-entry operators.

Following a detailed departmental inquiry, the investigation was transferred to the Punjab Vigilance Bureau, which has now expanded the scope of the case to include Arun Sharma.

Irregularities Flagged in Official Letter

The alleged scam first surfaced in October 2024, when then Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development), Lakhwinder Singh Randhawa, highlighted suspected financial irregularities in an official communication addressed to the Ferozepur BDPO.

The letter stated that government funds amounting to ₹1.80 crore had allegedly been misappropriated over a one-month period.

Randhawa also pointed to lapses in supervision, alleging that project records were not properly verified and that no timely investigation was initiated despite information about the suspected irregularities.

Following the complaint, the BDPO approached the police seeking action.

Probe Focuses on Procurement and Development Works

The Punjab government later assigned the inquiry to the Divisional Deputy Director of Panchayats, Patiala, and the District Development and Panchayat Officer, Bathinda, before the Vigilance Bureau took over the investigation.

Officials are now scrutinising whether the procurement process complied with financial rules and whether the development works linked to the payments were actually executed.

Investigators are also trying to determine the whereabouts of the tiles allegedly purchased using public funds.

Accounting and Monitoring Under Scanner

The case has also raised concerns about financial oversight within the Rural Development Department.

Departmental officials noted that all government expenditure and receipts are required to be recorded in official cash books maintained by the accounts branch.

The discovery of the alleged irregularities several months after the transactions has prompted questions about the effectiveness of internal monitoring, accounting procedures and audit mechanisms.

The Vigilance Bureau continues to investigate whether the payments corresponded to genuine purchases and whether the claimed development works were completed.