The Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has filed a 6,000-page chargesheet against eight former panchayat officials in connection with an alleged ₹1.69 crore financial irregularity in procurement under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
The chargesheet was filed on July 27. (File representative)
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
The chargesheet was filed on July 27 before the special judge (Prevention of Corruption Act) in Kanker under Sections 120B, 409 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The EOW in a statement alleged irregularities took place during 2006-07 and 2007-08 when materials such as flex boards, muster roll verification sheets, employment guarantee manuals, employment registers, file covers and labour information sheets were procured under the rural employment scheme.
Investigators alleged that the procurement was carried out without following the prescribed tendering and purchase procedures.
The probe found that then Kanker Zila Panchayat CEO adopted a centralised procurement system at the district level despite government rules authorising Janpad Panchayats and Gram Panchayats to procure materials independently.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
The agency said the investigation found violations of the Chhattisgarh Panchayat (Purchase of Materials and Goods) Rules, the Chhattisgarh Store Purchase Rules and other prescribed procurement procedures. It alleged that the officials acted in connivance, abused their official positions and caused a loss of ₹1,69,14,247 to the government.
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
The agency said the investigation found violations of the Chhattisgarh Panchayat (Purchase of Materials and Goods) Rules, the Chhattisgarh Store Purchase Rules and other prescribed procurement procedures. It alleged that the officials acted in connivance, abused their official positions and caused a loss of ₹1,69,14,247 to the government.
Of the total alleged irregularity, ₹39.90 lakh pertained to Kanker Zila Panchayat, while the remaining ₹1.29 crore was linked to seven Janpad Panchayats—Kanker, Narharpur, Charama, Antagarh, Koylibeda, Bhanupratappur and Durgkondal.
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting.
His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.
Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.
Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.
